This year, TELUS will invest $111 million in its communications infrastructure across greater Montreal. By the end of 2016, TELUS' advanced fibre optic network throughout the community will stretch more than 4,000 kilometres — equivalent to the distance from Quebec City to Vancouver - while professionals, patients and students at several health care and educational facilities will be able to take advantage of faster and more reliable wireless connections as TELUS installs new in-building wireless networks.

"Fibre optic cables are the backbone of all TELUS communications infrastructure. Our significant investment to extend the reach of this technology — the world's fastest — paves the way for connected businesses, innovative health technologies and even the anticipated introduction of fifth-generation wireless networks," said François Gratton, executive vice-president and president, Business Solutions East and TELUS Québec. "Montrealers know us primarily as a wireless company, and may not know that TELUS has 3,500 team members in Montreal dedicated to helping businesses and the health care system thrive by facilitating their adoption of new communications technologies. Montreal is one of the world's smartest cities, and we will continue playing an active economic role in bringing the infrastructure and services the City needs for a smart and connected future."

Earlier this year, TELUS announced it will invest $2 billion in new communications infrastructure across Quebec by 2020, including $340 million this year alone. TELUS' investment in its fibre optic cables in Montreal will increase the network's transmission capacity and extend its reach into many sectors including Old Montreal, Anjou, Boucherville, Dorval, Île-Bizard, Pierrefonds and Pointe-Claire.

TELUS will also build indoor distributed antenna systems (DAS) this year in several health and educational facilities, including the McGill University Health Centre, the Montreal Heart Institute, the Jewish General Hospital and the Montreal University. These networks will deliver the world's most advanced wireless technology to professionals, patients and students throughout the facilities.

TELUS' infrastructure and technology investments will also:

  • Wireless network - Increase the capacity, speed and reach of TELUS' wireless network across the city.
  • Internet of Things - Support the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) in Quebec, driving solutions that will enable businesses to enhance their global competitive advantage, reduce their environmental impact and increase worker safety.
  • Security - Foster advanced analytics, cloud-based security services and integrated security solutions to help Quebec businesses maintain strong security against a rapidly growing number of online threats.
  • Cloud services - Support TELUS' broad range of managed cloud technologies, which enable companies to enhance flexibility and operational efficiency. Quebec businesses can now access the very first hybrid cloud offer in Canada, built on Cisco and Microsoft technology.
  • TELUS Health - Extend the benefits of health care technology through TELUS Health, which currently provides electronic medical records to approximately 15,000 Canadian physicians as well as health benefits management solutions to over 10,000 pharmacies, 11,000 dental clinics and 33,000 extended health care providers across the country. TELUS Health has invested more than $1.6 billion to bring to market patient-centred solutions which are improving the flow of information across the health care continuum and enabling better health outcomes for Quebecers and all Canadians.

The investments announced in this media release are in compliance with TELUS' capital expenditure guidance for this year, which was issued on February 12, 2016.