TELUS and partners to invest C$14.5m in Chaudière-Appalaches to enhance network connectivity

TELUS is set to make a CAD 9.6 million private investment in the Chaudière-Appalaches region in 2024, aimed at deploying and upgrading its network infrastructure. This significant investment is further bolstered by a CAD 2.7 million financial contribution from the Government of Quebec and CAD 2.2 million from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), bringing the total investment to CAD 14.5 million. The funding will enable the addition of 20 new 5G wireless sites across the region.

16 New Sites to Improve Cellular Coverage

The Government of Quebec’s contribution, announced in April 2024, will fund 16 new sites to enhance cellular coverage in several municipalities. These include Frampton, Saint-Benjamin, Saint-Cyrille-de-Lessard, Saint-Damase-de-L’Islet, Saint-Damien-de-Buckland, Saint-Édouard-de-Lotbinière, Saint-Malachie, Saint-Marcel, Saint-Narcisse-de-Beaurivage, Saint-Nérée-de-Bellechasse, Saint-Omer, Sainte-Apolline-de-Patton, Sainte-Félicité, and Sainte-Perpétue. Planning and preparatory work for these sites will commence in 2024, with TELUS targeting 2025 for the first sites to become operational.

CRTC Fund Supports Additional Sites

Under the CRTC Fund, details of which were revealed last year, TELUS will activate two new wireless sites in Saint-Pamphile and Saint-Adalbert by the end of 2024. A second site in Saint-Adalbert and another in Saint-Paul-de-Montminy are slated for activation in 2025. This development aligns with TELUS’s goal of expanding wireless coverage in rural areas, ensuring communities are better connected.

Regional Leaders Praise the Investment

Nathalie Dionne, Regional Vice-President, Marketing at TELUS, highlighted the transformative impact of these investments: “Generational investments in our world-class networks are crucial to keeping Quebecers connected to people, information, and essential resources, as well as benefiting from all the innovation and evolution of our portfolio of products and services supported by the power of these networks.”

Regional officials echoed these sentiments, praising the initiatives. Gaétan Vachon, Warden of the RCM de La Nouvelle-Beauce, lauded TELUS for its commitment to the community: “I’m very pleased that our region can enjoy this leading-edge technology. It will ensure a promising future.”

Pascal Fournier, Mayor of Saint-Nérée-de-Bellechasse, emphasised the economic benefits: “The investments by TELUS in the construction of new wireless sites this year are a crucial step to strengthen our region’s connectivity and support the economic and social development of our community.”

Jean Audet, Mayor of Frampton, stressed the importance of these investments for tourism and local businesses: “I’m very excited about these investments by TELUS and the Government of Quebec, not only for the sustainability of tourism in Frampton, but also for our citizens and thriving small and medium businesses.”

Commitment to Sustainable Investments

Looking beyond the immediate impact, TELUS has outlined plans to invest CAD 73 billion in Canada by 2028, including CAD 10 billion earmarked for Quebec. These funds will support infrastructure, operations, spectrum licensing, and efforts to enhance network coverage, speed, and reliability.

Moreover, TELUS distinguishes itself through its “We give where we live” philosophy. The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has donated nearly CAD 100,000 to local organisations in the Chaudière-Appalaches region since 2023, reflecting the company’s belief that business success goes hand in hand with community involvement.

TELUS Investment Aligns with Broader Capital Expenditure Plans

The investments in Chaudière-Appalaches align with TELUS’s broader capital expenditure guidance for 2024, as outlined in the company’s financial results for the fourth quarter of 2023. These initiatives demonstrate TELUS’s ongoing commitment to expanding digital infrastructure, bridging digital gaps, and fostering sustainable community development.