What is Brief History of TELUS Company?

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What is the history of TELUS?

TELUS Corporation, a major player in Canadian telecom and tech, began as a provincial Crown corporation privatized in 1990. From its Edmonton roots, it has grown into a national technology leader with revenues approaching $20 billion CAD.

The company's evolution from providing local phone services to a diversified portfolio, including IT solutions and healthcare technology, demonstrates significant adaptation to the digital age.

TELUS's journey from connecting Albertans to impacting global health and agriculture showcases continuous innovation.

The company offers a wide array of services, including wireless, internet, and television, alongside IT solutions like TELUS BCG Matrix and healthcare technology.

The TELUS company origins trace back to the privatization of the Alberta Government Telephones Commission (AGT) in 1990. This move transformed a long-standing Crown corporation, established in 1906, into a publicly traded entity, marking a significant shift in Canadian telecommunications history.

TELUS Founding Story

The TELUS history began with the government of Alberta establishing Telus Communications in 1990. This initiative privatized the Alberta Government Telephones Commission (AGT), which had been serving the province since 1906. The goal was to transition a public service into a publicly traded company.

• The initial public offering (IPO) in 1990 was the largest in Canadian history at that time, raising $896 million.
• Helmut Neldner, with extensive experience at AGT, became the first president and CEO of Telus Corp.
• The company's initial focus was on providing telephone services within Alberta.
• In 1995, AGT was rebranded as TELUS, signifying a modernization and paving the way for future growth in the TELUS telecommunications sector.

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The early history of the company saw a strategic consolidation of its presence within Alberta, culminating in becoming the sole telephone provider in the province. This period laid the groundwork for broader national expansion and a unified brand identity.

Consolidating Alberta Operations

In 1995, the acquisition of Edmonton Telephones Corporation (ED TEL) solidified the company's position as the sole telephone provider across Alberta. By 1996, a unified corporate image was established under the 'TELUS master brand,' retiring the older AGT and ED TEL names.

Transformative Merger and National Reach Expansion

The 1998 merger with BC Tel, finalized in 1999 for approximately CA$8 billion, was a pivotal moment. This move relocated headquarters to Vancouver and established the company as Canada's second-largest telecommunications provider. The acquisition of Clearnet Communications Inc. in 2000 for $6.6 billion significantly expanded its national wireless footprint.

Diversification and Customer Growth Trajectory

Beyond traditional telephony, the company diversified into internet, pay television, and entertainment services. This strategic expansion, encompassing organic growth and acquisitions, continued to drive substantial customer growth, with over 1.1 million total net customer additions in fiscal year 2023.

Continued Expansion in Early 2025

The company's growth trajectory persisted into early 2025, with 218,000 net new customers added in the first quarter. This included 20,000 mobile phone subscribers and 148,000 connected device net additions, boosting its total subscriber base to over 20.3 million. Understanding the company's Revenue Streams & Business Model of TELUS provides further insight into its evolution.

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The TELUS company history is a narrative of strategic expansion and technological advancement, marked by significant milestones and a consistent response to industry challenges. From its early days as a telephone provider, TELUS has evolved into a diversified telecommunications and technology leader, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and customer service throughout its TELUS company origins.

Innovations have been a driving force in TELUS's TELUS evolution, particularly in network infrastructure and digital health solutions. The company's commitment to cutting-edge technology is evident in its pioneering work with 5G networks, including the deployment of Virtualized RAN and Open RAN, alongside the optimization of its 5G Standalone network.

Network Modernization

TELUS has consistently upgraded its wireless networks, launching 3G+ in 2009 and 4G LTE in 2012, improving connectivity for Canadians.

5G Leadership

In 2024, TELUS achieved a significant first by launching Canada's initial 5G Virtualised RAN and Open RAN, in partnership with Samsung, with further large-scale deployment planned.

Digital Health Expansion

The acquisition of Emergis Inc. in 2007 marked a pivotal moment, establishing TELUS Health as a major player in health IT, further bolstered by the 2022 acquisition of LifeWorks.

5G Standalone Deployment

In early 2024, TELUS partnered with Ericsson to roll out and optimize its 5G Standalone network across Canada, enabling advanced services.

Health IT Growth

TELUS Health reported robust growth in Q1 2025, with revenue up 12% and Adjusted EBITDA up 30%, covering 76.5 million global lives.

Technological Advancement

The company's ongoing investment in network infrastructure and diversification into technology verticals are key to its long-term strategy and Growth Strategy of TELUS.

TELUS has faced significant challenges, including intense competition in the mobile sector, which impacted its mobile phone Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) by a 3.7% decline in Q1 2025 due to pricing pressures and reduced overage/roaming revenues.

Market Competition

Intense price competition in the mobile market has led to a decrease in mobile phone ARPU, requiring strategic responses to maintain profitability.

Economic Headwinds

Macroeconomic pressures and an evolving regulatory environment present ongoing challenges that the company must navigate effectively.

Customer Retention

To counter market challenges, TELUS has focused on customer retention, achieving a postpaid mobile phone churn rate of 0.84% in Q1 2025 through disciplined execution.

Diversification Strategy

Strategic investments in high-growth sectors like health and agriculture are crucial for the company's long-term trajectory and resilience.

Operational Discipline

The company emphasizes disciplined operational execution and cost management as key strategies to navigate market volatility and maintain performance.

Regulatory Landscape

Adapting to an evolving regulatory landscape is a continuous challenge that requires proactive engagement and strategic planning.

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The TELUS company has a rich history, tracing its roots back to 1906 with the establishment of Alberta Government Telephones (AGT). This journey saw significant transformation, including privatization and expansion through key mergers and acquisitions, evolving from a regional telephone provider to a diversified national telecommunications leader.

Network Expansion and Technological Advancement

TELUS is prioritizing investments in its PureFibre and 5G networks to attract and retain customers. The company's commitment to technological leadership is evident in its recent launch of Canada's first 5G Virtualized RAN and Open RAN.

Growth in Health and Agriculture Sectors

TELUS Health and TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods are identified as key growth drivers. TELUS Health demonstrated strong performance in Q1 2025 with 12% revenue growth and 30% Adjusted EBITDA growth.

Financial Projections and Strategic Goals

For 2025, TELUS anticipates TTech Operating Revenues to grow by 2-4% and TTech Adjusted EBITDA to increase by 3-5%. Consolidated Free Cash Flow is projected at approximately $2.15 billion, with capital expenditures around $2.5 billion.

Long-Term Vision and Global Reach

The company aims for a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of approximately three times by 2027 and plans to adjust its dividend growth rate to 3-8% for 2026-2029. This strategic direction aligns with its founding vision of connecting Canadians and improving lives, now extending globally through diversified technology solutions, as detailed in the Marketing Strategy of TELUS.

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