The wireless Internet trial with BCT.Telus is mentioned in this BCT.Telus press release. It is in the "in Calgary" section.
Attention Business Editors:
BCT.TELUS announces brand name
BURNABY, BC and EDMONTON, AB, May 7 /CNW/ - BCT.TELUS Communications Inc. today announced that it will operate nationally under the TELUS brand name.
After an extensive search and analysis of hundreds of alternatives by an internationally recognized identity agency it was determined that TELUS was the best brand name of all of those considered.
''The decision was based on a number of factors, most importantly
recognition of the TELUS name throughout Canada. It is important that our Company has a name that is respected and recognized to allow immediate entry into new markets where we intend to offer service. It is also important our brand is strong as competitors prepare to enter our region,'' said George Petty, BCT.TELUS President and CEO.
''Over the next few months, we will be uniting the entire organization under the TELUS name. It will be a new TELUS that carries the strong foundation from both Alberta and British Columbia across Canada, offering customers distinctly superior products and service,'' Petty said.
The decision was also made to declare the Company's official head office in British Columbia in order to strike the right balance between Alberta and BC constituencies. The company is incorporated under the BC Company Act and this announcement ends the confusion resulting from our attempt to communicate a virtual office concept. There will be a negligible number of personnel relocations resulting from this decision, as the administrative functions for all operating units will continue to be balanced between both Provinces.
''The majority of my direct reporting team, including myself, will be based in the greater Vancouver area so that we can work together efficiently as we build a new company and launch a new national suite of services. The administrative offices and the senior executives for the principal operating units will remain balanced between Edmonton, Calgary and the Greater Vancouver
area,'' Petty said.
The company continues to be the largest private-sector employer in both BC and Alberta, with a total workforce of approximately 25,000. Employees' jobs and their locations throughout both provinces will not be affected by today's announcements.
BCT.TELUS Communications Inc. is Canada's second largest
telecommunications company. The BCT.TELUS group of companies provides a full range of advanced communications services and products connecting Canadians with the world. BCT.TELUS shares are traded on the Toronto and Montreal stock exchanges under the stock symbols BTS (Common) and BTS.A (Non-Voting).
In British Columbia
BCT.TELUS is Canada's second largest communications and information management services company. We are a major employer and contributor to the B.C. economy and are committed to building on our already strong presence in the province.
- BCT.TELUS is the largest private sector employer in the province.
- We employ more than 14,000 highly skilled British Columbians, who live and work in communities throughout the province.
- Our 1998 payroll was more than $748 million.
- We paid over $45 million in property taxes to municipalities throughout B.C. in 1998.
- British Columbia shareholders--about 17,600 of them--received value for their investment through dividend payouts of more than $13 million in 1998
- In 1998, we invested more than $570 million to expand and update our wired, wireless and data networks throughout B.C.
- As a partner in the British Columbia Electronic Highway Accord, we are working with government and other stakeholders to provide universal and affordable access to the information highway, and to develop B.C.'s information technology industry.
- We are working with municipalities and regional districts to wire B.C. communities for the future and to help promote economic development.
- In 1998, we established a $10 million New Media and Broadcast Fund to stimulate and support the development of content for both the new media and broadcast industries in B.C.
- We are committed to enhancing the quality of life for all British Columbians. Our Community Investment Program--around $1 million annually--supports and encourages a wide range of community,
educational, health and cultural initiatives.
- We are also involved in hundreds of sponsorships throughout B.C., from grassroots initiatives to large community events. In 1998, we provided more than $3.5 million to conferences, cultural events and exhibitions across the province.
- We are providing significant support to the Vancouver/Whistler Bid Society's bid to host the 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Active and retired employees throughout B.C. volunteer their time and talents to worthy community projects. In 1998, the BC TEL Pioneers contributed over $250,000 and more than 100,000 volunteer hours to charitable and community service projects in the province.
- Each year our employees give generously to charitable organizations through the BC TEL Employees' Community Fund, the largest and one of the oldest employee funds in the province. In the 1998/99 campaign, the fund contributed almost $1 million to more than 1000 non-profit groups throughout B.C.
In Edmonton
BCT.TELUS is Canada's second largest communications and information management services company. We are a major employer and contributor to the Edmonton community and are committed to maintaining our strong presence in the city.
- We are one of the largest private sector employers in the metro
Edmonton area with some 5,100 employees.
- The Alberta wireline division is headquartered in Edmonton.
- The direct and indirect employment effects of our activities in
Edmonton are estimated at approximately 8,700 jobs.
- Our payroll in Edmonton amounted to some $253 million in 1998.
- We paid approximately $10.8 million in business and property taxes to the City of Edmonton in 1998.
We are committed to helping make Edmonton a ''Smart City.'' Some of our initiatives in this area include:
- The TELUS Centre for Continuing Professional Development - through our Bright Futures Foundation, we have contributed $12.9 million to support this state-of-the-art multi-use instructional facility. Located at the University of Alberta's Edmonton campus, the Centre will begin delivering courses in the spring of 2000.
- Partnering with the Capital Health Authority, we have committed
$500,000 over five years to develop and expand telehealth initiatives in Alberta.
- In partnership with the Royal Alexandra Hospital, we have helped to develop the TELUS Telehealth and Patient Simulation Centre. A unique education and conference facility, the centre is pioneering two technologies in combination: telehealth and patient simulation. This is the first time these two technologies have been available together for health care professionals in Western Canada.
The Centre offers unlimited clinical training opportunities by
facilitating interactive and distance education programs, which will
ultimately result in more accessible health services and enhanced
patient care.
We maintain strong ties with Edmonton's education community and with the research and development sector, through various partnership and
sponsorship initiatives such as:
- The TELUS Learning Connection: An Educational Alliance - Edmonton teachers, like their counterparts throughout the province, are receiving Internet training and on-line curriculum based educational resources through this program. Ending in 2001, this initiative is valued at $1.6 million in funding and $150,000 of in-kind support.
- The TELUS Mobility Emergency Medicine Scholarship Program - Students enrolled in the Faculties of Medicine and Nursing at the University of Alberta, as well as students earning paramedic diplomas at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, are eligible to win scholarships under this program.
- The TELUS Mobility Essay Scholarship Program - In 1998, this program saw two grade eleven students from Edmonton receive post-secondary scholarships. In 1999, this program will be expanded to include three students from across the city.
- The TELUS Mobility School Partnership Program - This program partners selected grade nine students from Wellington Junior High School with TELUS Mobility employees from across the organization in a mentor program that includes job shadowing and skill development.
- TRLabs - In 1998, we contributed some $640,000 of financial and in-kind support to this communications research consortium which includes the University of Alberta.
- In 1998, TELUS invested some $2 million in non-profit organizations, projects and programs as well as sponsoring arts, sports and special event activities in Edmonton. From Alberta Computers for Schools to the Support Network of Edmonton and the Edmonton YMCA, we are helping to make a difference in the quality of life for all Edmontonians. Last year we also supported the Edmonton Opera, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, The Edmonton Folk Festival and the Fringe Festival. This year marks our third as hosts of the TELUS Edmonton Opens. In 1998, we also sponsored the Canadian Finals Rodeo and continue to be proud sponsors of the Edmonton Oilers, Edmonton Eskimos, Edmonton Trappers and the Alberta Soccer Association in Edmonton.
- In 1998, Edmonton community needs were met with the skills and
interests of our employees through the volunteers(at)TELUS program.
This initiative, which connects our employees with volunteer
opportunities also provides a financial grant to the employee's charity of choice. Last year, our Edmonton volunteers contributed some 17,500 hours to worthy causes in the city.
In Calgary
BCT.TELUS is Canada's second largest communications and information management services company. We are a major employer and contributor to the Calgary community, and are committed to building upon our strong presence in the city.
- We are one of the largest private sector employers in the metro Calgary area with some 5,300 employees.
- TELUS Mobility and TELUS Advertising Services, two of the company's fastest growing divisions, are based in Calgary.
- The direct and indirect employment effects of our activities in Calgary are estimated to be approximately 9,100 jobs.
- Our payroll in Calgary amounted to almost $200 million in 1998.
- We paid more over $14.8 million in business and property taxes to the City of Calgary in 1998.
- Our contribution toward Calgary's TELUS Convention Centre is almost $9 million to date.
- We maintain strong ties with Calgary's education community and with the research and development sector, including TRLabs, WURCNet, the University of Calgary and the Calgary Research and Development
Authority (CRDA). Our commitment to the CRDA's INFOPORT vision will
have totaled some $927,000 by the fall of 2000.
- As a partner to the Calgary Regional Health Authority, we have
committed $500,000 over five years to develop and expand telehealth
initiatives - improving the delivery of health care throughout the
region.
- In partnership with Calgary-based Wi-LAN Inc., we have developed an innovative Wireless Internet Trial, the first of its kind in Canada, that links Wi-LAN's office in the northeast with our downtown tower using radio waves. This trial gives Wi-LAN fully managed data communications and a high speed Internet connection that is up to 80 times faster than a 56K Internet dial-up line.
- In cooperation with the Calgary Board of Education, we are linking every public school in Calgary with 200 km of fibre optic cable. Connecting 100,000 students in some 200 locations with high-speed access, this is the largest education network of its kinds in Canada.
- Calgary teachers, like their counterparts throughout the province, are receiving Internet training and on-line curriculum based educational resources through the TELUS Learning Connection: An Educational Alliance. This program, ending in 2001, is valued at $1.6 million in funding and $150,000 of in-kind support.
- The TELUS Mobility Emergency Medicine Scholarship Program - Students enrolled in the Faculties of Medicine and Nursing at the University of Calgary, as well as students earning paramedic diplomas at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, are eligible to win scholarships under this program.
- The TELUS Mobility Essay Scholarship Program - In 1998, this program awarded a grade eleven Calgary student a post-secondary scholarship. In 1999, this program will be expanded to include three students from across the city.
- The TELUS Mobility School Partnership Program - This program partners selected grade nine students from Dr. G. M. Egbert Community School in Calgary with TELUS Mobility employees from across the organization in a mentor program that includes job shadowing and skill development.
- In 1998, we invested over $1.5 million in non-profit organizations, projects and programs as well as sponsoring arts, sports and special event activities in Calgary. From the Calgary Science Centre and Mount Royal College's Institute for Learning Technology to the Calgary Women's Shelter, we are helping to make a difference in the quality of life for all Calgarians. Last year we also supported the Calgary Opera, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Theatre Calgary and the Calgary Folk Festival. We are also a sponsor of the National, North American and Masters Tournaments, as well as the Junior Riders Series, at Spruce Meadows. 1999 marks our third year as hosts of the TELUS Calgary Opens and our first year as sponsor of the Team TELUS Chuckwagon at the Calgary Stampede. We continue to be a proud sponsor of the Calgary Stampeders, Calgary Hitmen, Calgary Cannons, the Calgary Flames and Alberta Soccer Association in Calgary.
- In 1998, Calgary community needs were met with the skills and interests of our employees through the volunteers(at)TELUS program. This initiative, which connects our employees with volunteer opportunities also provides a financial grant to the employee's charity of choice.
Last year, our Calgary volunteers contributed some 11,500 hours to worthy causes in the city.
In Alberta
BCT.TELUS is Canada's second largest communications and information management services company. We are a major employer and contributor to the Alberta economy and are committed to building on our already strong presence in the province.
- We employ more than 11,000 highly skilled Albertans, who live and work in 75 communities throughout the province.
- It is estimated that the direct and indirect employment effects of our activities in Alberta are roughly 18,900 jobs.
- Our 1998 payroll was more than $500 million.
- We paid $46 million in business and property taxes to municipalities throughout Alberta in 1998.
- Alberta shareholders--about 56,000 of them in total--received value for their investment through dividend payouts of some $22 million in 1998.
- Our total capital expenditures amounted to $519 million in 1998.
- The company has built and maintained a presence across Alberta, with offices in both major cities, to operations and regional offices in communities throughout the province.
- Each year we return to the community well in excess of the one percent of pre-tax profit established as the national Imagine guideline. As always, we focus our efforts on the areas Albertans identify as most important to them--education, health and volunteerism. In 1998, our support to the Alberta community was more than $7 million.
- In 1996, we established the TELUS Bright Futures Foundation, a
not-for-profit corporation focusing its efforts on programs that
promote lifelong learning and the integration of technology into
education. Current Foundation initiatives include:
- The $12.3 million TELUS Centre for Continuing Professional
Development, a state-of-the-art multi-use facility that will begin
delivering courses in the spring of 2000.
- The TELUS Learning Connection: An Educational Alliance, which is providing Internet training for nearly 3,500 Alberta teachers, ensuring that every school in Alberta has at least one teacher as a resource for both students and other teachers. Our commitment to this initiative is valued at $1.6 million in funding and $150,000 of in-kind support.
- We are also involved in hundreds of sponsorships throughout Alberta, from professional sports to grassroots events. In 1998 we provided some $4.4 million for conferences, arts, cultural events, rodeos and exhibitions.
- Our contribution to Calgary's TELUS Convention Centre is almost $9 million to date.
- In 1998, Alberta community needs were met by our employees through the volunteers(at)TELUS program. This initiative connects our employees and retirees with volunteer opportunities in their communities and provides a financial grant to the employee's charity of choice. We are immensely proud of our volunteers, who annually contribute more than 70,000 hours of community service throughout the province.
-0- 05/07/1999
For further information: Jeff Welke, Media relations manager, (780) 498-7236 (office), (780) 671-5355 (pager), jeff.welke@telus.com (e-mail), www.telus.com (Web site); Kevin Noel, Media relations manager, (604) 432-2949 (office), 1-800-405-8293 (pager), kevin_noel@bctel.com (e-mail), www.bctel.com (Web site) |
