Telus 2015 Annual Report Download - page 15

15
 In 2015, we acquired 21 AWS-3 wireless spectrum licences in the AWS-3
spectrum auction and the residual spectrum licences auction, as well as 122
wireless spectrum licences in the 2500 MHz spectrum auction. The AWS-3
spectrum is well suited for delivering both coverage and added capacity in urban
and rural environments. The 2500 MHz spectrum is ideal for carrying large
amounts of data, making it especially valuable in urban centres, and will
complement TELUS’ existing low band spectrum, which is able to penetrate
farther into buildings and elevators and also travels farther in rural areas. We
expect to incorporate the AWS-3 spectrum licences into our existing network
within the next three years, once international standards for the spectrum
frequencies are established and associated equipment is available, whereas the
general deployment of the 2500 MHz spectrum licences into our network
commenced in late 2015. We have invested more than $3.6 billion since mid-
2013 to acquire wireless spectrum licences in Innovation, Science and
Economic Development Canada’s spectrum auctions and other transactions,
which has more than doubled our national spectrum holdings in support of our
top corporate priority of putting customers first. We have begun to operationalize
this spectrum for the benefit of our customers.
 In June 2015, we announced a $1 billion investment in the city of Edmonton to
connect more than 90% of homes and businesses directly to our fibre-optic
network over the next six years. In October 2015, we announced a $1 billion
investment in the city of Vancouver to connect the majority of homes and
businesses directly to our fibre-optic network over the next five years. As the
networks are launched (beginning in 2015 for some areas) local residents and
businesses will have access to faster Internet speeds of up to 150 megabits per
second. These investments are part of our broader fibre-optic strategy to bring
our fiber network to communities across B.C., Alberta and Eastern Quebec.
 At the end of 2015, our 4G LTE network covered 96% of Canada’s population,
up from more than 89% of the population at the end of 2014. Outside of LTE
coverage areas, the LTE devices we offer also operate on our HSPA+ network,
which covered 99% of the population at December 31, 2015. Our broadband HD
TV coverage reached more than 2.85 million households and businesses in
B.C., Alberta and Eastern Quebec, including approximately 0.69 million homes
and businesses covered by fibre-optic cable, which now provides those
premises with immediate access to our gigabit-capable fibre-optic network.
Partnering, acquiring and divesting to accelerate the implementation of TELUS’ strategy and
focus TELUS’ resources on core business
In July 2013, we announced that we were partnering as equals, with two arm’s-length
parties (one of which is also our TELUS Garden™ partner), in a residential, retail and
commercial real estate redevelopment project called TELUS Sky™, in Calgary, Alberta.
The 58-storey project will be constructed to LEED platinum standards and, when
completed, will be one of the most technologically innovative and environmentally
friendly buildings in North America. Demolition occurred in 2014 and excavation
commenced in early 2015; construction is currently expected to be completed in 2018. 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. See Section 7.11 Transactions between related