TELUS to invest $220 million in the Quebec economy in 2011

Leading infrastructure at the center of TELUS’ capital investments

Montreal, QC – TELUS today announced a $220 million investment this year in Quebec, a move which will stimulate the province’s economy, communities and businesses. TELUS’ leading wireline and wireless broadband networks will meet current and future customer needs for information, communications and entertainment. TELUS’ investment will stimulate the economy across the province of Quebec and its regions, while positioning the company on the national scene.

“This $220 million investment will support our growth across all Quebec markets, whether within the business, residential or consumer segments. We believe that leading edge technologies and robust infrastructures are critical performance catalysts for a prosperous future and economy,” notes François Côté, President of TELUS Quebec and TELUS Health Solutions. “A major growth employer in Quebec, TELUS has invested nearly $8.4 billion in capital and operating expenditures in Quebec since 2000. TELUS provides our local communities with access to leading telecommunications products and services in the industry. We are pleased that these investments will generate opportunities that will help drive the competitiveness of Quebec’s economy.”

TELUS has invested, year after year in the expansion and deployment of its wireless and wireline networks for Québec’s business market. Our fiber optic network, available to businesses across the Quebec territory, provides access to higher-capacity broadband services. TELUS’ infrastructure will support the deployment and integration of health technologies to expand its solutions, promote growth within the industry and transform the delivery of healthcare services across the Quebec health network.

This $220 million investment in the province of Quebec also targets the upgrade of TELUS’ wireless network, already Canada’s fastest coast-to-coast mobile 4G network. Beginning this spring, TELUS will offer even faster mobile Internet access with its network upgrade to 4G (HSPA+ Dual Cell), which will allow browsing at manufacturer peak rated download and upload speeds of up to 42 megabits per second (Mbps) and 11 Mbps respectively.

TELUS subscribers in Eastern Quebec and in the Greater Quebec City area may now access the new TELUS OPTIK network, which supports a range of innovative services including our TELUS OPTIK television and OPTIK Internet services. By leveraging the most advanced IP technology, TELUS helps its clients to enjoy the many benefits of the power of the Web. With this latest technological advance, TELUS will ensure that it continues to offer subscribers the most innovative technology available.

TELUS’ commitment to Quebec communities extends beyond its infrastructure and new services. Since 2005, TELUS, its team members, retirees and Community Boards have contributed nearly $22 million to Quebec communities to support the work of local organizations.

TELUS was recently named the most philanthropic corporation in the world by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international honour. TELUS has supported several hundred organizations throughout Quebec, including Opération Enfant Soleil, the Centre jeunesse de Montréal and the Association du cancer de l’Est-du-Québec (ACEQ).

The capital expenditures announced in this release are consistent with 2011 asset forecasts set by TELUS.

About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is one of Canada’s leading national telecommunications companies, with $9.8 billion of annual revenue and 12.3 million customer connections, including 7 million wireless subscribers, 3.7 million wireline network access lines, 1.2 million Internet subscribers and over 300,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a full range of wireless and wireline communications products and services including data and voice, Internet protocol (IP) services, and entertainment and video services.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, its team members and retirees will, by year end, have contributed $245 million to numerous charitable and not-for-profit organizations, and volunteered 4.1 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Nine TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead TELUS’ local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was named the top philanthropic corporation in the world by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international honour.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.