CALGARY – Telus is set to invest more than $2.6 billion in new infrastructure and facilities across Alberta through 2016, the company said Monday.
Telus will spend $1 billion across the province this year, the final year of a three-year plan unveiled in 2012, and has committed to invest another $1.6 billion in 2015 and 2016 to build infrastructure, expand urban and rural Internet connectivity and capacity, and bring its wireless technology to more communities. Specifically, Telus pledged to rapidly deploy 700MHz spectrum for use in rural and urban areas; connect thousands of homes and businesses in various communities with higher-capacity Internet and Optik TV; expand the reach of Telus' healthcare solutions; and continue construction on the Telus Sky office tower in downtown Calgary.
"Telus continues to bridge the digital divide by offering Albertans greater access to telehealth, virtual classrooms and small business solutions in even the most remote corners of the province”, said executive chairman Darren Entwistle, in the news release. “Not only has our investment in Alberta fuelled the unparalleled success of our Optik TV, high-speed Internet and business services, it has powered the ongoing advancement of our world-leading LTE wireless network that now extends to more than 90 per cent of Albertans."
The capital investment is consistent with Telus' overall capital expenditure guidance for 2014, issued on February 13, 2014.
