VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 8, 2015) - TELUS is making free public Wi-Fi available at more than 8,000 hotspots across B.C. and Alberta. Since early 2014, TELUS has been actively expanding its public Wi-Fi network; strategically selecting locations with high foot traffic and/or dwell times - where Wi-Fi matters most to customers. The Wi-Fi network integrates seamlessly with TELUS' 4G wireless network, automatically shifting TELUS smartphone customers to Wi-Fi and helping them moderate their use of wireless data.
TELUS is working with thousands of businesses, including brands like 7-Eleven, Fountain Tire and Vancity credit union, to provide public Wi-Fi at locations throughout B.C. and Alberta. TELUS Wi-Fi is also available at many major sporting and entertainment venues, including BC Place and TELUS World of Science in Vancouver; the Saddledome and TELUS Spark in Calgary; TELUS World of Science in Edmonton; the Richmond Olympic Oval; and throughout the Whistler village and ski resort. TELUS is currently installing Wi-Fi in Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium and the Victoria International Airport.
Unlike other Wi-Fi networks, TELUS' free and friendly Wi-Fi is open to everyone - not just TELUS customers. TELUS smartphones will automatically establish a secure connection to the #TELUSdirect network when they are in range. Non-TELUS customers can connect to #TELUS through a simple splash page to enjoy the same service.
"Demand for wireless data outside the home is exploding and our customers are looking for more ways to connect to the Internet anytime, anywhere," said Eros Spadotto, TELUS' executive vice-president of Technology Strategy. "Our public Wi-Fi network is built to complement our world-class 4G network by providing our customers with new ways to connect and enjoy the best possible network experience, while also enabling our business clients to offer added value to their own customers."
A recent survey commissioned by TELUS found that more than half of small businesses in B.C. and Alberta feel it is important to offer free Wi-Fi to remain competitive, and 71 per cent believe it is important to offer free Wi-Fi regardless of their customers' service provider. TELUS Wi-Fi is offered as a value-added service for TELUS business Internet customers with no access restrictions for users, allowing businesses to offer complimentary Wi-Fi to all of their customers. The system operates on a dedicated Internet connection so it won't impact a participating business' Internet speeds or network security, and is installed, managed and supported 24/7 by TELUS free of charge.
TELUS Wi-Fi is part of the company's network strategy to deploy small cells that complement Canada's most reliable 4G network, which reaches more than 99 per cent of Canadians, and optimize network resources to provide superior speeds and service for TELUS customers.
To make it easy for people to find a location that offers TELUS Wi-Fi, TELUS has launched the TELUS Wi-Fi app, which is available as a free download through iTunes, the Google Play store and online at http://wififinder.telus.com/.
Businesses interested in setting up TELUS Wi-Fi in their location(s) can visit telus.com/businesswifi for more information.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU) is Canada's fastest-growing national telecommunications company, with $12.1 billion of annual revenue and 13.9 million customer connections, including 8.3 million wireless subscribers, 3.1 million wireline network access lines, 1.5 million high-speed Internet subscribers and 937,000 TELUS TV customers. TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services, including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video, and is Canada's largest healthcare IT provider.
In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $396 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered more than 6 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Created in 2005 by Executive Chairman Darren Entwistle, TELUS' 11 community boards across Canada have led the company's support of grassroots charities and have contributed $47 million in support of 3,700 local charitable organizations by the end of 2014, enriching the lives of more than two million Canadian children and youth. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.
For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.