The company will use the investment to launch its 5G standalone network this year along with implementing other initiatives across the Canadian state

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An office of TELUS in Ottawa, Canada. (Credit: Jeangagnon/Wikimedia Commons)

TELUS, a Canadian communications technology company, will invest C$17bn ($13.25bn) over the next four years in Alberta towards network infrastructure, operations, and spectrum.

The investment is part of C$70bn ($54.57bn) it plans to inject across Canada by 2026.

TELUS president and CEO Darren Entwistle said: “This generational $17 billion investment in Alberta is a true demonstration of TELUS’ long-standing commitment to improving the lives of Canadians by connecting communities from coast-to-coast with our world-leading wireless 5G and PureFibre networks.

“Our broadband technology is supporting critical, transformational change in respect of enabling online healthcare, education and teleworking flexibility, and accelerating Canada’s digital economy and society for heightened productivity, competitiveness and human welfare outcomes in the post-pandemic period.”

TELUS’ investment in Alberta is expected to create 8,500 new jobs with a focus on construction, emerging technologies, engineering, and other supporting industries.

The communications technology firm aims to connect nearly one million homes in Alberta through the investment with its PureFibre fibre-to-the-home network.

It will also invest in ensuring the delivery of 5G to remote communities. The company said that with the expected rollout of 3.5GHz spectrum additions this year, people in Alberta will get access to its 5G network, including those staying in some rural and remote communities.

TELUS also plans to launch its 5G standalone network in 2022. The company aims to bring multi-access edge computing (MEC) capabilities for further advancing internet of things (IoT) and industry solutions.

The company claimed that from 2000 to 2021, it has invested C$220bn ($171.5bn) across Canada in network infrastructure, operations and spectrum. This includes over C$55bn ($42.8bn) in in Alberta towards technology and operations.

Alberta Minister of Service Nate Glubish said: “Technology is the future of every industry, and connectivity is the foundation of technology. Between TELUS’ investment in increased connectivity and Alberta’s Broadband Strategy, Alberta is well positioned to achieve universal connectivity.

“This will help to grow and diversify our economy, and will ensure that all Albertans can participate in Alberta’s economic recovery.”