EDMONTON — Telus is expediting its capital investments in Alberta to support the province throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, announcing Tuesday it will bring forward investments originally targeted for 2021 into this year as it reallocates its 2020 capital spend.
As part of its previously announced $16-billion, multi-year investment commitment in Alberta, Telus’ total investment in network infrastructure and operations in the province in 2020 will be approximately $3.5 billion, according to the news release.
As part of this investment, Telus will expand its PureFibre and high-speed Internet networks to 282,000 homes and businesses across Alberta, including a specific focus on connecting rural and remote communities that require access to reliable networks as they adapt to new ways of living and working during the pandemic, says the release. Telus estimates these investments will directly support 3,500 jobs for Albertans.
“Last fall we committed to investing $16 billion across the province through 2023. In response to the pandemic, we are expediting our investments this year by providing expanded access to our world-leading networks as Albertans are working remotely and our young people are leveraging online education tools, while families are relying on digital connectivity for everything from working at home, to entertainment and to fitness,” said Darren Entwistle, president and CEO, in the news release. “In addition, we are creating meaningful, family-supporting jobs for Albertans who are facing economic hardship or job losses as a result of the economic downturn. Our networks are not only creating much-needed employment today, but they are also providing the backbone for the jobs of tomorrow and those that have yet to be imagined.”
Throughout 2020 and into 2021, Telus says it will invest $950 million to bring PureFibre to 12 more Albertan communities, connecting more than 245,000 homes and businesses to its gigabit-enabled fibre optic network. Furthermore, Telus will upgrade high-speed Internet networks in 50 additional rural communities, bringing residents and businesses faster speeds and greater capacity.
In addition to bringing more communities enhanced wireline Internet connectivity, Telus will also invest $85 million to bring 37,000 more rural Albertan households high-speed Internet through enhanced wireless services by the end of 2020, the release says. By the end of 2021, 99.3% of all households in Alberta will have high-speed Internet access; 99.7% of the population will be covered by Telus’ 4G LTE network; and 98% of Albertans will have 5G, including 119 rural municipalities and 34 Indigenous communities, says the release.
For more information about Telus’ support during the Covid-19 crisis, please visit telus.com/covid19.
