With 9.5 million tourists expected to visit Montreal in 2023, TELUS is updating its networks to provide world-class connectivity this summer season
5G labs will fuel technological innovation from Montreal’s businesses, researchers and creative geniuses
MONTREAL, June 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TELUS is investing nearly $30 million in Montreal in 2023 to deploy and update its 5G networks and connect the city’s businesses to thousands of kilometres of optic fibre. As the summer season gets underway, the TELUS team is hard at work providing Quebec’s biggest city with the 5G connectivity and network capacity needed to welcome the nearly 10 million visitors expected here in 2023. Whether enjoying the view from the top of the Port of Montreal Observation Tower or grooving to the beat at one of the many music festivals taking place on Parc Jean Drapeau, Montrealers and tourists will have access to world-class connectivity this summer. TELUS is also continuing its partnerships with Zú and the École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS) for urban and 5G labs to promote innovation and connect Montreal’s businesses, universities, researchers and the greatest creative minds with the latest 5G technology.
“For our 3,600 team members in the city, Montreal continues to be a key focus for our technological innovations, and we’re maintaining our commitment to making Montreal one of the most welcoming and innovative cities in the world,” says Nazim Benhadid, Senior Vice-President at TELUS. “Lots of tourists choose Montreal for their summer vacation plans, and with our massive investments, we’re joining the city’s efforts to provide a first-class experience for visitors and maximize economic benefits for Montreal. Our long-term vision for our laboratories and technological innovation environments is also redefining the entertainment, construction and smart city industries to make our city and its businesses greener, more dynamic and more secure than ever.”
TELUS investments will support the following projects in 2023:
- Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal: TELUS will be offering free public Wi-Fi and upgrading its 5G network at the Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal, providing an exceptional experience for visitors who come to enjoy a panoramic view of the Saint Lawrence River from the brand-new observation tower at the Port of Montreal.
- Summer events at Parc Jean Drapeau: The TELUS team is hard at work to equip the Parc Jean Drapeau with the network capacity needed to welcome this year’s expected influx of visitors as they come to enjoy sporting events like the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, music festivals, and other cultural events. Additional wireless sites are being deployed to meet the increased bandwidth requirements.
- TELUS 5G Lab with Zú: The TELUS 5G Lab will be outfitted with the latest 5G technology. This lab is located at Zú, a Montreal hub established by Guy Laliberté, founder of the Cirque du Soleil. In an eclectic environment with infrastructure and equipment at the cutting edge of technology, Zú supports and empowers creative entrepreneurs who use technology to develop products that transform creative industries by generating innovative and world-class projects.
- 5G Lab with ÉTS: TELUS recently signed an agreement with ÉTS and iBwave to re-imagine how wireless networks inside buildings are designed and deployed and to innovate in the construction industry. The agreement will lead to the creation of a 5G laboratory at ÉTS that will serve as a meeting place for researchers, students and companies to drive innovation in telecommunications, engineering and architecture through the use of fifth-generation networks.
Ongoing investments for a better future
TELUS plans to invest $81.2 billion in Canada by 2027, including $11.5 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. In addition to its investments in its networks, the TELUS team is driven by a desire to bring positive social changes to the communities where it operates. Since 2000, TELUS and our active and retired team members have contributed over 300,000 volunteer hours and donated over $33 million in support of local organizations, including Academos, Dans la Rue and Le Phare.
In addition, TELUS is now a major partner of CF Montréal. As part of this multi-year agreement, the two organizations will help thousands of kids and adolescents by giving them free access to soccer camps and offering sports scholarships to encourage athletes to develop their skills. Last April, TELUS and the Old Brewery Mission, announced the launch of the newest Health for Good mobile health clinic, working together to help marginalized Montreal residents with free healthcare services as well as social and housing-related support.
The investments announced in this news release reflect TELUS’ overall capital expenditure guidance for 2023, which was released on February 9, 2023, during the company’s fourth financial quarter of 2022.
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 a cautionary note and are based on the assumptions, qualifications and risk factors described in detail in TELUS’ management reports for 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, 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 neither intends nor is obligated to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained in this document.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX:T, NYSE:TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with more than $18 billion in annual revenue and 18 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. Our social purpose is to leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to drive social change and enable remarkable human outcomes. Our focus has always been on our customers. That focus is reflected in everything we do and has earned us a reputation as a trusted and respected leader in customer loyalty and service. Every year, TELUS receives numerous awards from independent companies known for their network expertise. These awards validate the power and speed of our world-class networks and confirm our commitment to providing Canadians with superior technologies that connect them to the people, resources and information that enrich their lives.
TELUS International (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator with a presence in 31 countries. It designs, produces and delivers next-generation content moderation and artificial intelligence solutions for global marketers. It is active in strategic sectors including technology and gaming, communications and media, and e-commerce and financial technology.
TELUS Health is a world-leading healthcare company which provides preventative, primary healthcare and wellness solutions for employees and their families. Our TELUS team, along with our 100,000 health professionals, are leveraging the combination of TELUS’ strong digital and data analytics capabilities with our unsurpassed client service to dramatically improve remedial, preventive and mental health outcomes covering 67 million lives, and growing, around the world. As the largest data intelligence and digital solutions provider of its kind, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods supports efficient and sustainable farming from seed to supermarket. By providing end-to-end traceability, it helps to increase the safety and quality of food and other consumer products.
Driven by our determination and vision to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired TELUS and our team to contribute $1.5 billion, including 2 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparallelled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world. Together, let’s make the future friendly.
For more information about TELUS, visit telus.com and follow us on Twitter (@TELUSnews) and Instagram (@Darren_Entwistle).
For more information, please contact:
Camille Finnegan
TELUS Media Relations
camille.finnegan@telus.com
