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TELUS expanding its broadband networks to remote areas of Quebec(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 23 November 2012 Release date- 22112012 - Sept-Iles, QC - TELUS has extended its wireline high-speed Internet services to La Romaine and Saint-Augustin, and its 4G mobile network to Natashquan. These projects are part of TELUS' $11.5-million investment in the Cote-Nord region in 2012, including $6.4 million in the Basse-Cote-Nord area. 'We are delighted to offer our mobile and wireline broadband networks to the communities of Basse-Cote-Nord, an isolated region that presents a number of challenges. We want to contribute to the region's growth and connectivity by making advanced technologies available to the local communities,' explained Clement Audet, Vice-President, Consumer Market, at TELUS Quebec. 'TELUS has invested $12.3 billion in Quebec since 2000, and this tremendous financial support has enabled us to offer high-speed service to 97% of the population, from large city centres to outlying regions. Our presence is felt in every corner of the province.' TELUS' high-speed Internet service is available in La Romaine and Saint-Augustin from $39.95/month when bundled with other services. This most recent achievement marks the end of the expansion project associated with the company's deferral account in Quebec, ahead of the deadline set by the CRTC. Within the last two years, TELUS has expanded its broadband high-speed Internet service to 11 remote communities in Quebec, namely Baie-Trinite, Cap-des-Rosiers, Colombier, Mingan, Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Natashquan, Ristigouche Sud-Est, Saint-Joseph-des-Erables, Saint-Theophile, La Romaine and Saint-Augustin. The CRTC created the deferral account in 2002, requiring telecommunication providers to keep their rates at 2002 levels to encourage other companies to compete for home phone service business. The companies had to set funds aside in deferral accounts as if they had reduced phone service rates. The CRTC then consulted with the public and the industry for several years about what to do with the companies' accounts, ultimately accepting TELUS' proposal that the majority of the funds be used to provide broadband Internet to remote communities, with five per cent used to enhance services for people living with disabilities. Any money left over had to be rebated to urban customers. TELUS' 4G network available in Natashquan The community of Natashquan has now access to TELUS' 4G network, including voice and Internet applications, from mobile phones, tablets, Mobile Internet Keys and Smart Hubs. TELUS' 4G network supports manufacturers' rated peak download speeds of up to 21 Mbps. The expected average speed is 4 to 6 Mbps. For more information about TELUS services, visit telus.com or call 310-1212. The investments are consistent with TELUS' consolidated capital expenditure guidance for 2012. About TELUS TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $10.8 billion of annual revenue and 13.0 million customer connections including 7.6 million wireless subscribers, 3.4 million wireline network access lines, 1.3 million Internet subscribers and more than 635,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video. In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $260 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.2 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Fourteen TELUS Community Boards lead TELUS' local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition. For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com. For media inquiries, please contact: Jacinthe Beaulieu Media Relations, TELUS 418-318-6102 [email protected] [Editorial queries for this story should be sent to [email protected]] ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2012 Electronic News Publishing - |