media

July 5, 2006

Province and TELUS bridging the digital divide in Wynndel

Vancouver, B.C. - Wynndel will soon have high speed internet service thanks to a partnership between the province and TELUS.

On July 7, 2006, TELUS will complete the work required to bring high speed internet service to its central office in the community. From there, local internet service providers (ISPs) will take over to provide ‘last-mile' service to local homes and businesses.

“We're working very hard at TELUS to connect B.C. communities to high speed Internet, creating new opportunities for improved health care, education, entertainment, and economic development,” said Matthew Heffernan, TELUS' managing director of B.C. Sales. “The significant investment to bring high speed access to rural communities demonstrates TELUS' commitment to unleash the power of the internet for our customers, creating equal opportunities for all British Columbians.”

Under the Connecting Communities Agreement with the Government of B.C., TELUS is investing more than $110 million to connect 119 new rural B.C. communities by the end of 2006, adding to the $2.2 billion TELUS has already invested in telecommunications infrastructure and services within the province over the past five years. So far, with minimal cost to taxpayers, 60 communities have been connected (See attached list for individual communities).

Affordable high speed Internet access can change the quality of the daily lives of people within a community. With it, people can:

  • Tap into online libraries and educational resources to assist children with homework assignments.

  • Upgrade their education and participate in online training programs.

    • Access up to date medical information and treatment though reliable medical sources available using the Internet, like myTELUS Health, www.mytelus.com/health, and www.healthguide.org
  • Access government services without traveling.

  • Start up a home based business and market it around the globe.

TELUS is building the fibre to distribution points within each of these communities. From there, the community or a regional internet service provider makes ‘last-mile' connections to local customers. In December of 2005, the Province and TELUS announced that ISPs had been selected to provide last-mile service to 31 communities. Announcements on additional ISP selections are expected soon.

For more information, visit the Connecting Communities Website at www.network.gov.bc.ca or www.telus.com/connectingcommunities.

Network BC is a dedicated project office within the Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, working with British Columbia communities and the private sector to connect all B.C. communities to broadband telecommunications networks.

About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $8.2 billion of annual revenue and 10.3 million customer connections including 4.6 million wireless subscribers, 4.7 million wireline network access lines and 1.0 million Internet subscribers. The company's strategic intent is to unleash the power of the Internet to deliver the best solutions to Canadians at home, in the workplace and on the move. TELUS provides customers with a wide range of wireline and wireless communications products and services including data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, entertainment and video services.

-30-


Similar news releases were distributed in the following communities: Beaverdell, Kettle Valley, Rock Creek, Blue River, Little Fort, Boston Bar, Yale, Celista, Tappen, Dunster, Silverton, Winlaw, Vananda, Wells, McLeese Lake, Bear Lake, Hixon, Fort Fraser, Field, Parson, Granisle, Alexis Creek, Riske Creek, Hanceville, Hagensborg, Chilanko Forks, Tatla Lake, Alkali Lake, Clinton, Dog Creek, Horsefly and Lac La Hache

For more information, please contact:
For media inquiries, please contact:

Shawn Hall,
TELUS media relations
604 697-8176
shawn.hall@telus.com