Telus 2013 Annual Report Download - page 14

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14
• The Galaxie music app, announced by TELUS and Galaxie Music, which is included
with all Optik TV service and available free of charge on smartphones for Optik TV
subscribers;
• The Optik Smart Remote app for Android devices, which complements the app
already available on Apple devices. Optik Smart Remote enables customers to surf
TV, set and manage recordings while on the go, and browse content on their device
instead of using the traditional guide on the TV screen;
• The reorganization of Optik TV channels, which groups them into categories, such as
major networks, news, sports and entertainment, and allows customers to easily and
quickly surf within their favourite category. The reorganization has also created room
for more channels in the future; and
• The wireless digital box for Optik TV subscribers, which allows customers to move
their TV within the home, or yard, without the need to plug it into a digital box.
Partnering, acquiring and divesting to accelerate the implementation of TELUS’ strategy and
focus TELUS’ resources on core business
In 2011, we announced that we are partnering in a residential, retail and commercial real
estate redevelopment project in downtown Vancouver, TELUS Garden, which will transform
a city block that includes our current national executive offices. The project features a 46-
storey residential condominium tower and a 22-storey office tower, as well as renovations to
TELUS’ current downtown offices to provide leasable office and retail space. The
commercial and residential buildings are being built to LEED platinum and gold standards,
respectively, and incorporate green initiatives. See MD&A Section 7.11 Transactions
between related parties for additional information.
In July 2013, we announced that we are partnering as equals, with two arm’s-length
parties, in a residential, retail and commercial real estate redevelopment project in
downtown Calgary, named TELUS Sky, one of which is also the TELUS Garden arm’s
length partner. The building will be constructed to LEED platinum standards. Pending
zoning and development permit approval, construction is currently expected to begin in
the fall of 2014 and be completed by the end of 2017. A significant proportion of our
investment will come from contributions of our existing real estate holdings, coupled with
project debt. We plan to lease office space in the new jointly-owned mixed-use tower
and vacate leased space in TELUS House Calgary upon completion of the new
development. This project is another opportunity for us to monetize a portion of our real
estate holdings. See MD&A Section 7.11 Transactions between related parties for
additional information.
In 2012, we made several small business acquisitions and related investments
complementary to our existing lines of business. These included two acquisitions that
enhanced our capabilities in respect of cloud-based electronic medical records (EMR)
solutions; investments to expand the number of international business process
outsourcing call centre operations to provide geographic and language diversity, and to
obtain new business customers; and the acquisition of additional TELUS-branded
wireless dealership businesses to ensure we provide a focused and consistent customer
experience, as well as enhance distribution of wireless and wireline products across
Western Canada.