Vancouver to receive $129 million investment from TELUS

Vancouver– TELUS is investing $129 million in Vancouver this year as part of our $18.5 billion investment in infrastructure, operations, and spectrum across British Columbia through 2027. These investments are critical to providing Canadians with access to superior technology, connecting customers to the people, resources and information that make their lives better. Since 2000, TELUS has invested more than $59 billion in British Columbia alone, building global leading industry networks and has been recognized as B.C’s top broadband network by Opensignal.

“As a company that has been headquartered in Western Canada for more than 125 years, TELUS’ $18.5 billion investment in British Columbia will further amplify the superiority of our world-leading wireless and PureFibre networks, enabling vital connectivity for millions of citizens across the province. This builds on the more than $59 billion TELUS has invested in network infrastructure, operations, and spectrum across British Columbia since 2000,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS. “Our globally recognized networks are the backbone of our digital economy and societies, driving innovation and uplifting marginalized communities. This investment will help ensure that British Columbians can stay connected to what matters most, including healthcare, safe and healthy food, online education, friends and family, and the flexibility to work remotely; all with the accompanying environmental benefits.”

“Everyone, everywhere in B.C. needs access to reliable, high-speed internet to be able to work, learn and stay in touch with friends and family,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services.  “The investments that TELUS is making, along with our government’s investments in the Connecting BC and Connecting Communities BC programs, support economic opportunities and growth across B.C.”

"Today's announcement from TELUS is a strong vote of confidence in Vancouver's future," said Mayor Ken Sim, City of Vancouver. "This significant investment in our digital infrastructure will help elevate Vancouver's position as a leading hub for technology and innovation while enhancing connectivity for businesses and residents alike. We applaud TELUS for their continued commitment to Vancouver."

TELUS’ commitment to Vancouver extends well beyond investments in operations and infrastructure. Since 2000, TELUS, our team members and retirees have provided $120 million in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs and volunteered 1.1 million hours to charities and community organizations located in Vancouver. 

"With funding from the TELUS Community Board grant, Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth (YBYG) Initiative has been able to run programs in some of the Lower Mainland's highest-risk neighborhoods. It is in these communities that our staff connect with and mentor youth through dialogue and pro-social activity, including martial arts such as wrestling and jiujitsu,” said Byron Sinclair, Operations Manager Yo Bro Girl Youth Initiative. “YBYG offers youth of all backgrounds a chance to succeed. As we continue striving to support and mentor youth in developing a sense of inner confidence and healthy community, one thing is clear: the generosity of partners such as TELUS, are key to our success!" 

TELUS’ next generation networks are unleashing human productivity and contributing to improved health and educational outcomes, supporting environmental sustainability, fostering entrepreneurship, bridging the socio-economic divide, and driving economic growth. TELUS is steadfast in its commitment to using technology, team member-led innovation, and human compassion to address the most important societal challenges of this generation and bringing real solutions to the residents of British Columbia and across Canada. Now through 2027 in British Columbia, TELUS is: 

• Celebrating 10 years of PureFibre: The only 100 per cent all fibre network in B.C.
  TELUS has invested over $7 billion nationally in network infrastructure and operations to bring our most advanced broadband Internet technology to millions of homes and businesses, creating 50,000 jobs throughout construction, and contributing more than $930 million to local economies in B.C., Alberta and Quebec. This year, TELUS will connect over 100,000 more homes and businesses across B.C., including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge. PureFibre is B.C.'s only 100 per cent pure fibre-to-the-home network and currently reaches more than 1.7 million homes and businesses, including 269,000 rural homes and businesses across the province. TELUS’ PureFibre network recently brought home top honours in B.C. in Opensignal’s April 2023 Canada Fixed Broadband Experience Report, solidifying TELUS’ position as the home Internet provider to beat when it comes to network quality, experience and speed. In addition, TELUS introduced PureFibre X 3.0 gigabit Internet, offering the fastest upload and download speeds of 3.0 Gbps, setting a new standard in Internet technology for customers in Vancouver and lower mainland.

• Continuing to roll out 3500 MHz spectrum on its 5G network
  Since June 2022, TELUS has been rolling out its 3500 MHz spectrum to further support the country’s economic growth and competitiveness, bringing enhanced capacity, low latency and even faster speeds to TELUS customers. 

• As part of this rollout, customers in Vancouver with a compatible 5G device, on a 5G+ plan in a 3500MHz spectrum area will experience 50% faster average data speeds and increased capacity on our reliable 5G network.

• Cheering on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC as the official premier partner
  The multi-year partnership brings together two longstanding Vancouver-based organizations with a proven and shared commitment to drive meaningful change in their local communities. TELUS will be the presenting partner of Whitecaps FC camps across Canada supporting 250,000 youth over the next five years. TELUS also joins the Whitecaps as a co-presenting partner of the Community Soccer Experience, which in its inaugural year last season, brought free soccer programming to more than 6,000 youth in British Columbia. Together with Whitecaps FC, TELUS will help create opportunities for soccer participation, while inspiring youth to reach their full potential.

• Celebrating 10 years of supporting local content and emerging content creators 

TELUS STORYHIVE is a platform that supports new and emerging content creators in British Columbia and Alberta, with a specific focus on elevating underrepresented voices and communities. The innovative programs offer production funding, training, mentorship and distribution to more than 1 million viewers on Optik TV. 

• Since 2013, STORYHIVE has distributed more than $52 million in production funding, over 10,000 hours of robust training and one-on-one mentorship, supported over 1,100 projects with over 1,920 hours of content and a community of thousands of local content creators in over 270 communities across the two provinces. 

• For every view on the new Optik TV Channel 9 from June 1 to 30, TELUS will donate $1 (up to a maximum of $10,000 total) to the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation to help youth reach their full potential. To celebrate STORYHIVE’s journey and community of content creators, visit STORYHIVE.com/anniversary.

• Creating a greener province and planet

Our investments in energy-efficient networks, renewable energy sources, innovative technologies and sustainable business practices are supporting a greener future by reducing our carbon footprint and enabling TELUS to become net carbon neutral by 2030 or sooner. 

• On April 21, TELUS celebrated the planting of its one millionth tree to help mitigate climate change. In partnership with leading restoration companies, including Veritree and Flash Forest, TELUS is working to leverage the power of its world-leading networks and innovative technology to revolutionize nature-based solutions with the goal of replenishing forests and seaforests. To start, TELUS, Veritree and Flash Forest are focusing on reforestation and seaforestation projects in western Canada and internationally.

• TELUS also recognizes the role of connectivity in supporting Canada’s climate objectives. Digital connectivity and technologies can reduce GHGs emissions by up to 20%. As a country with high-quality telecom networks and high GHG emissions per capita, Canada has the opportunity to become a world leader in digital climate policy and digital climate solutions, incentivizing digital uptake across underserved communities, GHG intensive-industries, and the public service.

• Transforming how British Columbians access healthcare

• TELUS’ innovative approach to leveraging technology in health care has expanded globally since its acquisition of LifeWorks in fall 2022. Now supporting more than 67 million lives in 160 countries TELUS Health is on a mission to become the most trusted wellbeing company in the world with solutions focused on enhancing total health, across three dimensions - physical, mental and financial.

• TELUS Health has provided access to physical and mental health care for people in Canada either through our publicly-funded virtual care service, TELUS Health MyCare, or employer-funded health benefits resulting in more than 1.4M virtual and in-person appointments, helping to build the healthiest communities and workplaces on the planet.

From 2000 through 2022, TELUS has invested $240 billion nationally in network infrastructure, operations and spectrum, including more than $59 billion in British Columbia. These investments are consistent with TELUS’ capital expenditure guidance for 2023, released in the fourth quarter of 2022 earnings release dated February 9, 2023.

TELUS also embraces tax morality as a means of further investing in our communities. Since 2000, TELUS has paid approximately $54 billion in total tax and spectrum remittances to our federal, provincial and municipal governments across Canada, consisting of corporate income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, employer portion of payroll taxes, various regulatory fees and spectrum remittances, including more than $2.3 billion in taxes in 2022 alone. These funds support public works projects, education, healthcare, cultural pursuits and other initiatives that improve the social and economic well-being of our communities.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements about future events and plans that are forward-looking, including statements relating to TELUS’ infrastructure, operations and spectrum investment plans, anticipated connections to our PureFibre network footprint, and our environmental targets. These forward-looking statements are made based on a number of assumptions and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them as there is significant risk that actual results may vary materially from these forward-looking statements, including as a result of risks relating to regulatory decisions and developments, the competitive environment in which we operate, and our operating and financial results.

The forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to the cautionary note and based on the assumptions, qualifications and risks described in detail in TELUS’ 2022 and first quarter 2023 Management’s discussion and analysis, which are incorporated by reference herein, and in other TELUS public disclosure documents and filings with securities commissions in Canada (on SEDAR at sedar.com) and in the United States (on EDGAR at sec.gov). Forward-looking statements describe TELUS’ expectations and are based on our assumptions as at the date of this press release and are subject to change. These statements are made pursuant to the “safe harbour” provisions of applicable securities laws in Canada and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except as required by law, TELUS disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.