Official Press Release
TELUS is investing $1 billion in Edmonton to connect more than 90 per cent of homes and businesses directly to the company’s state-of-the-art fibre optic network over the next six years.
The TELUS fibre optic network is among the most advanced communications infrastructure available in the world today. When the service is launched in Edmonton later this year, local residents and businesses will be able to take advantage of Internet speeds of up to 150 megabits per second – a dramatically faster service made possible by a direct fibre optic network connection. In coming years, TELUS plans to offer families and businesses in Edmonton increasingly higher speeds over this gigabit-enabled network. Importantly, local healthcare providers, educators and technology companies will also be able to draw upon the network to completely reimagine how they deliver existing services and develop entirely new solutions.
“Our $1 billion investment in Edmonton will create Canada’s largest urban centre with nearly ubiquitous access to the fastest and most reliable Internet services to dramatically improve the way Edmontonians live, work and socialise in a digital world,” said Darren Entwistle, TELUS’ Executive Chair. “TELUS is committed to better connecting citizens by linking homes, hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacists, businesses, schools, libraries and municipal governments directly to our fibre optic network, bringing advanced broadband services and unparalleled security to the entire connected community. Indeed, with less than 10 per cent of North Americans currently linked to a fibre optic network, TELUS is providing a distinct advantage to the city and its citizens who will ultimately have superior access to economic growth opportunities, critical healthcare solutions, world-class education programs and exciting social applications to enhance their fast-moving consumer lifestyles.”
“Today's announcement helps enhance Edmonton's reputation for being an innovative city and it will enable us to achieve more of the goals outlined in our Open City Initiative, including greater citizen engagement,” said Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson. "We are excited about the economic development potential that fibre to the premises offers, including opportunities to build on Edmonton's strengths in the areas of new technology, health care and education.”
“This investment represents a major vote of confidence in our economy that will help ensure Alberta remains a top choice for businesses to invest and create jobs, and for families to live, work and play,” said Premier Rachel Notley. “Our government looks forward to working with the City of Edmonton to realize the full economic and quality-of-life potential of this new communications infrastructure.”
Edmonton residents can expect to see the TELUS team across the city neighbourhood by neighbourhood, knocking on doors to discuss connecting homes and businesses directly to TELUS’ fibre optic network and installing infrastructure. There is no requirement to be a current TELUS customer to be connected to the network, nor are there any conditions to purchase services once the network construction is complete.
This significant commitment is part of TELUS’ plan to invest an additional $4.2 billion in Alberta through 2018. When combined with operational expenses, this will bring the total TELUS investment in Alberta over the next four years to more than $11 billion. By 2018, TELUS will have invested more than $45 billion in Alberta since 2000 to further extend advanced telecommunications infrastructure and services, ensuring sustained innovation and fueling economic growth.
TELUS’ dedication to Edmonton extends well beyond the company’s investments in operations and infrastructure. Since 2000 the TELUS team in Edmonton has volunteered 730,000 hours with its hearts and hands and contributed $38.5 million to numerous charitable and community organizations.
In celebration of today’s announcement, on behalf of the company’s more than 6,200 employees and retirees in Edmonton Mr. Entwistle also announced TELUS is making a $120,000 investment at the Edmonton Public Library. This investment will establish the TELUS Health Innovation Fund to help create healthier outcomes, and also provide needed funding for the library’s “epl2go Literacy Vans,” thus helping to ensure a brighter future for the community.
For more information on the TELUS Fibre Optic Network and how you and your community will benefit from it, visit
telus.com/edmonton or call 1-855-595-5588. Business owners are invited to call 310-3100.
TELUS Press Release.
FAQ:
https://fibre.telus.com/media//2015/06/Edmonton-FAQ.pdf