Telus has announced this morning it is expediting investments previously announced in Alberta, “to support the province throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The company explains some capital investments pegged for 2021 will now be moved to 2020, bringing the total Telus investment in network infrastructure and operations in the province to $3.5 billion for this year.
Telus says PureFibre and high-speed Internet will roll out to 282,000 homes and businesses in the province, with a focus on rural communities. The investments moved up will support 3,500 jobs in the province, says Telus.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, work, and connect to one another, and TELUS will continue to support the citizens of Alberta through this unprecedented global health emergency,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS, in a statement.
Telus says it will invest $950 million in 2020 and into 2021 for PureFibre to reach 12 more communities in the province, supporting over 245,000 homes and businesses. Upgrades to high-speed internet will also debut in 50 additional rural communities.
“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’ globally-leading 4G LTE network; and 98% of Albertans will have 5G, including 119 rural municipalities and 34 Indigenous communities,” explains Telus in a press release.
“In response to the pandemic, we are expediting our investments this year by providing expanded access to our world-leading networks,” added Entwistle, saying these investments are also creating jobs in an uncertain COVID-19 economic climate.
