Telus Corp. (TSX:T) will invest nearly $83 million across the Lower Mainland to expand its wireless and wired networks.
The investment is part of Telus’ $670 million plan to expand its infrastructure around B.C., according to the company.
“For businesses, it means more wireless coverage and faster wireless,” spokesman Shawn Hall told Business in Vancouver March 22.
The biggest slice of Telus’ investment will be in Surrey, where it will spend $20 million.
Other infrastructure investments include:
- $18.5 million in Burnaby and New Westminster;
- $10 million in Abbotsford and Mission;
- $7.5 million in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra;
- $7 million in Richmond;
- $6 million in Langley;
- $5.6 million in North and West Vancouver;
- $4 million in Sea-to-Sky communities;
- $3 million in Chilliwack; and
- $1 million in Hope.
Hall said expanding the infrastructure is necessary to stay ahead of demand. He added that the percentage of Telus smartphone customers jumped from 20% in 2009 to 33% in 2010.
“2010 will go down as the year that consumers picked up the smartphone and started using wireless data like they never have before.”