Telus 2011 Annual Report Download - page 14

10 . TELUS 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
In the large enterprise market in 2011, we completed a
10-year
$1 billion strategic telecommunications agreement with
the
Government of B.C., the largest deal in the history of our
Company. As part of this agreement, TELUS will extend advanced
wireline and wireless communications infrastructure into both
urban and rural B.C. communities. We will also provide long dis-
tance, conferencing, data, wireless and strategic services for all
provincial government offices, six regional health authorities and
select public sector partners such as BC Hydro and WorkSafeBC.
Additionally, in 2011 we extended our large contract with the
Government of Ontario for an additional five years to provide and
manage its portfolio of data telecommunications and security
services. In early 2012, we also extended our major contract with
the Department of National Defence for Global Defence Network
Services to 2016, which is worth more than $250 million. As well,
we began implementing in 2011 a number of new enterprise
contracts, including one with Canadian Pacific Railway.
TELUS has one of the most advanced
wireless networks in the world in terms
of data speed, coverage and innovative
services on the latest devices.
We commenced planning and construction in 2011 of two
new intelligent Internet data centres in Rimouski, Quebec and
Kamloops, B.C., which are being built to LEED (leadership
in energy and environ mental design) gold standards. The centres,
costing approximately $65 million each, will further expand our
capacity to provide information technology management services
to businesses in Canada and internationally. They will be a
cor nerstone of TELUS’ ongoing support of next generation
cloud computing and unified communications solutions.
Providing integrated solutions
TELUS’ investments in advanced broadband technology, com-
bined with our Future Friendly Home® strategy, came to fruition in
mid-2010 with the launch of Optik TV and High Speed Internet
service offerings. We are providing a superior home entertainment
experience through our Optik TV service, delivered on our fibre-
optic network. Since its launch, Optik TV has provided exceptional
bundling and integration opportunities with high-speed Internet
and home phone services. In 2011, we added 196,000 new
TV customers, increasing our customer base by 62 per cent.
The success of Optik TV also enabled us to attract 75,000 more
high-speed Internet subscribers and reduce home phone losses
by one-quarter, compared to 2010.
As an IP-based service, Optik TV provides a platform for new
and innovative applications. To date, we have offered Remote
Recording using a smartphone or tablet, the option of using the
Microsoft Xbox as a set-top box, and Facebook on TV. As well,
in early 2012, we introduced Optik on the go, an integrated feature
that will increasingly enable customers to view their TV content
on their computers, smartphones or tablets.
We strengthened our focus on small and medium businesses
in 2011. For example, we introduced TELUS Business Freedom,
enabling our business customers, for the first time, to bundle their
office phone, Internet and wireless telecommunication services
into one flexible, simple and cost-effective solution.
The TELUS team is dedicated to trans forming healthcare
through innovative technology solutions. We move healthcare
information over our secure, wireline and wireless broad-
band net works to those who need it, when they need it, to
improve health outcomes, work processes and efficiency in
service delivery.
TELUS wireless and wireline broadband technology
is also
enhancing the care services available to patients and
medical
profes sionals. Notably, more than 2,000 clinicians
Growing demand for Optik TV
The number of our TV subscribers surpassed the 500,000
milestone at the end of 2011, reflecting the increasing
popularity of Optik TV, our superior entertainment service.
Optik TV’s IP-based platform acts as a runway for new
value-added applications, enhancing the entertainment
experience for customers and positioning us for
continued growth.
509,000 TV subscribers