Telus to invest $700 million in B.C. this year to expand wireless and wireline networks

Telus will spend $670 million this year in an effort to expand its wireless and wireline networks throughout B.C.

Involved in this investment is the addition of 76 new cell sites for both rural and urban customers, as well as preparation for what will essentially be a "4G" network. Telus will also lay down more fibre optic lines in support of its Optik TV and highspeed internet.

"This year, Telus will continue to bring the innovations of Optik TV and faster Internet speeds to even more British Columbians," said Darren Entwistle, Telus president and CEO. "We will continue to bring citizens faster wireless broadband services as we introduce HSPA+ Dual Cell technology, one of the most advanced wireless technologies in the world, to more B.C. communities."

In 2009, Telus launched its HSPA+ data network, its highest speed service. Currently, about one-third of Telus customers use smartphones on this network.

"The data explosion has been phenomenal," said Kevin Salvadori, Telus executive vice-president of business transformation and technology operations. "In fact, our smart phone users on our network use more data per user than any other of our suppliers' networks in the entire world. "We've had a decade-long history of having significant investment in B.C., even through the economic downturn. It's our home, so we are definitely excited about it."

Telus has invested nearly $25 billion in operations and technology in B.C. over the past 10 years. "We've had a decade-long history of having significant investment in B.C., even through the economic downturn," said Kevin. "It's our home, so we are definitely excited about it."

Telus has coverage available for 99 per cent of B.C.'s population but still plans to enhance its rural services. "B.C. has among the most challenging geography in the world from a wireless perspective, given its mountainous terrain," Kevin said. "So we are going to spend a significant amount bringing coverage to highways in the rural areas."

Optik TV this year is being added to Nanaimo, Kamloops and Penticton.