A new connected era: TELUS, the government of Quebec, and the federal government successfully completed bringing high speed I...
February 05 2021 - 1:00PM
TELUS, the Canadian and Quebec governments, and the Société du Plan
Nord are celebrating the completed deployment of TELUS 4G LTE
network in 14 isolated Lower North Shore communities, nearly a year
ahead of the targeted completion date. For the first time ever, the
2,000 households have access to high-speed Internet and mobile
phone service, and can browse the Internet at similar speeds as
those living in urban areas. This new connectivity will boost the
local economy and reduce isolation by connecting the region and its
businesses, healthcare centres, and schools with the rest of the
world. TELUS is also donating $40,000 in tablets and wireless plans
to the Docteur Camille Marcoux Foundation, helping isolated
patients connect with their loved ones and healthcare
professionals.
“Today we are celebrating the exceptional connection of the
world’s fastest wireless network to one of the country’s most
isolated regions, a clear symbol of our long-standing commitment to
deploying high-speed infrastructures to all Canadians, wherever
they live,” said François Gratton, Executive Vice-President, Group
President, TELUS, and Chair, TELUS Québec, TELUS Health, and TELUS
Agriculture. “This second major milestone marks the end of one of
TELUS’s most ambitious deployments ever. This new connectivity
enables local businesses to go digital, healthcare professionals to
use virtual technologies, young people to continue their studies
online, and families to stay in touch with loved ones. Even more
importantly, the 4G LTE wireless technology will also make travel
safer.”
“This announcement as we begin a new year marks the start of a
new connected era, an era of hope, revitalization, and economic
prosperity for our beautiful region,” said Randy Jones, prefect of
the Gulf of Saint Lawrence RCM. “The first Lower North Shore
communities to receive high speed Internet have been linked to the
rest of the world for a year now, and we can already see the true
potential of connectivity. Lives have been saved thanks to the
mobile network, new businesses have been created, and we can all
stay virtually connected while we get through this unprecedented
pandemic.”
One of TELUS’s largest digital infrastructure projects
north of the 49th parallel
The deployment of the high speed Internet and wireless phone
service to 14 communities in the Lower North Shore was made
possible through a joint contribution of over $23 million from the
governments of Quebec and Canada, and TELUS. To take on this
immense challenge, the TELUS team used an innovative combination of
technologies, uniting fibre, a vast microwave ecosystem, and 4G LTE
technology, and transported the equipment to the remote locations
by plane, boat, and all-terrain vehicle. The project also brought
fibre to 16 public organizations, including all of the region’s
clinics and healthcare centres, and tripled the high speed capacity
of the 15 local schools.
Tablets for better healthcare in the Lower North
Shore
TELUS is donating 20 digital tablets with $0 data plans to the
Docteur Camille Marcoux Foundation, helping professionals of the
eight clinics in the Lower North Shore region to quickly access
essential tools and information for telehealth. Patients receiving
end-of-life care, lodging and hospitalization at the Blanc-Sablon
hospital will be able to stay in touch with their loved ones.
Contact with and between the nurses and doctors, who are often
hundreds of kilometres away, will be improved by visual
communication.
“Patients in the Lower North Shore often have to take a plane to
consult a doctor for medical follow-ups when none is available at
their local health clinic. The tablets donated by TELUS and the
deployment of high-speed Internet will allow the CISSS de la
Côte-Nord to expand telehealth services in our communities,
reducing unnecessary expenses and risks associated with travel,”
said Constance Monger, board member of the Docteur Camille Marcoux
Foundation, and territory coordinator of the CISSS de la Côte-Nord.
“The tablets donated by TELUS will not only better connect patients
with their healthcare professionals, they will also prevent the
unnecessary expense and risk of travel while we continue to face
this health crisis. No one should feel alone or disconnected. TELUS
creates an essential human connection for Lower North Shore
residents who more than ever need assistance for their health and
well-being.”
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading
communications technology company spanning wireless, data, IP,
voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. We leverage
our global-leading technology and compassion to enable remarkable
human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our
customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a
distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. In
2020, TELUS was recognized as having the fastest wireless network
in the world, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with
access to superior technology that connects us to the people,
resources and information that make our lives better. TELUS Health
is Canada’s leader in digital health technology, improving access
to health and wellness services and revolutionizing the flow of
health information across the continuum of care. TELUS Agriculture
provides innovative digital solutions throughout the agriculture
value chain, supporting better food outcomes from improved
agri-business data insights and processes. TELUS International is a
leading digital customer experience innovator that delivers
next-generation AI and content management solutions for global
brands across the technology and games, ecommerce and FinTech,
communications and media, healthcare, travel and hospitality
sectors. TELUS and TELUS International operate in 25+ countries
around the world.
Driven by our passionate social purpose to connect all citizens
for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give
where we live has inspired TELUS, our team members and retirees to
contribute more than $820 million and 1.6 million days of service
since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled
volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the
world.
For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow
us @TELUSNews on Twitter, and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.
For more information, please contact:
Jacinthe BeaulieuTELUS Media
Relations418-318-6102jacinthe.beaulieu@telus.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d925c809-fb90-4249-801e-a978a9e18bb4
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