JULY 2, 2024
TELUS invests $8.5 million in the Lower St. Lawrence
These investments are paired with a significant contribution from the Government of Quebec and the CRTC to expand wireless connectivity to rural and remote communities
Rimouski — TELUS is pleased to announce an $8.5 million private investment in the Lower St. Lawrence region this year to deploy and update its networks. This investment is paired with the financial contribution of $3.5 million from the Government of Quebec and $2.9 million from the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) that will allow for the addition of 15 new 5G wireless sites in the region.
- The investments from the Government of Quebec announced in April 2024 will allow for the addition of 12 new sites that will increase the service level for cellular coverage. Among the sites are the municipalities of Saint-Zénon-du-Lac-Humqui, Saint-Léon-le-Grand, Saint-Cléophas, Saint-Charles-Garnier, Sainte-Marguerite-Marie, Sayabec, Saint-Valérien and La Rédemption. Other sites are currently being evaluated for the region and planning and preparatory work will begin in 2024. TELUS plans for the first sites to be operational in 2025.
- As part of the CRTC Fund,the details of which were revealed last year, a new wireless site will be activated in Saint-Vianney and two new sites in Saint-René-de-Matane by the end of the year. Activation of the sites in Saint-René-de-Matane and Routhierville will be begin in 2025.
Quotes
“Generational investments in our world-class networks are crucial to keeping Quebecers connected to people, information, and essential resources, as well as benefiting from all the innovation and evolution of our portfolio of products and services supported by the power of these networks," says Nathalie Dionne, Regional Vice-President, Marketing, TELUS. “Connectivity supports the development of our regions, strengthens their appeal and accelerates their environmental transition. It also contributes to bridging the digital and socioeconomic gaps, offering every member of society the opportunity to reach their full potential. Although our private investments are crucial, we commend the commitments from the Government of Quebec and the CRTC to improve wireless coverage in our regions.”
"Generational investments in the construction of new wireless sites in Bas-Saint-Laurent have long been requested," notes Chantale Lavoie, Prefect of La Matapédia RCM. The investments from TELUS, the Government of Quebec, and the CRTC will enhance security in our territory, improve access to fibre optic and a reliable, high-performing cellular network, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region."
“In Saint-Vianney, we have actively worked to build a tower to get cellular coverage,” says Georges Guénard, Mayor of Saint-Vianney. “This initiative by TELUS meets a need that is commonly raised by residents and is crucially important to support the development of the municipality and tourism. I’m very excited to see the project come to fruition.”
Sustainable investments for a better future
TELUS plans to invest $73 billion in Canada by 2028, including $10 billion in the Quebec economy, for its infrastructure, operations and spectrum licensing and to improve the coverage, speed and reliability of its world-class networks.
TELUS distinguishes itself by its ambitious vision for community giving and its team’s dedication to putting the company’s “We give where we live” philosophy into practice. From 2023 to today, the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has given close to $265,000 to several local organizations that have an impact on youth in the Lower St. Lawrence region for different projects, including Centre de pédiatrie sociale Rimouski-Neigette, Moisson Rimouski-Neigette and La Ressource. This generosity reflects TELUS’ core belief that business success goes hand in hand with community involvement.
The investments announced in this news release reflect TELUS’ overall capital expenditure guidance for 2024, which was released on February 9, 2024 during the company’s fourth financial quarter of 2023.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements about future events and plans, including statements relating to TELUS’ infrastructure, operations, services 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 a cautionary note and based on the assumptions, qualifications and risks described in detail in TELUS’ annual management reports for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, which are incorporated by reference herein, and in other TELUS public disclosure documents and filings with securities commissions in Canada (on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca) and in the United States (on EDGAR at sec.gov). Forward-looking statements describe TELUS’ expectations and are based on our assumptions as of the date of this news release, and are therefore 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 neither intends nor is obligated to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained in this document.
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