TELUS launches next generation of Push To Talk, TELUS Link

TELUS Link connects teams faster, in more places and on more devices

TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - TELUS Link, the next generation Push To Talk (PTT) service over TELUS' 4G HSPA and LTE networks as well as Wi-Fi, will be available to customers in mid-October. TELUS Link will provide instant 'walkie-talkie' voice communication with an individual or a team as well as standard wireless service, enabling members of a work team to connect in less than one second wherever they are. Customers can also roam in the U.S. and around the world with enhanced coverage via PTT over Wi-Fi.

"TELUS' constant innovation allows us to meet and exceed the extremely high standards our business customers have come to expect from our technology," said Jim Senko, vice-president of Small Business Solutions, TELUS. "TELUS Link is the natural evolution of our industry-leading Mike service and is Canada's only Push To Talk service available over Wi-Fi. With access to our blazing fast 4G LTE data speeds, TELUS Link customers will experience expanded services as well as a seamless transition to all major smartphone operating systems."

TELUS Link will allow people working for Canadian businesses in fields such as construction, transport, energy, utilities and manufacturing to connect quickly with individuals or large groups in less than one second on the TELUS 4G network, which now covers 97 per cent of Canada's population from coast-to-coast. It combines the best features of a walkie-talkie with the advantages of today's latest smartphones including extremely high speeds and bandwidth for data, excellent sound quality, and increased productivity advantages.

Compatible with smartphones on all major operating systems, TELUS Link can also be downloaded and used on rugged phones like the Samsung Galaxy Rugby LTE. In addition, TELUS' new ultra-rugged voice phone available this month, the Sonim XP5560, will soon be able to access the TELUS Link service.

Unlimited Canadian PTT features and plans start at only $15 per month, with offers such as $0 hardware available for existing Mike customers interested in moving to TELUS Link, U.S. roaming, and shared data across a team. To learn more about TELUS Link, please visit www.telus.com/teluslink.

For customers who wish to remain on the iDEN network, TELUS intends to support the Mike service over at least the next couple of years. 4G LTE networks feature device data speeds of up to 75 Mbps - up to 3.5 times faster than HSPA+ speeds. This translates into incredibly fast Push To Talk call setup time and increased data flexibility.

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $11.2 billion of annual revenue and 13.2 million customer connections, including 7.7 million wireless subscribers, 3.3 million wireline network access lines, 1.4 million Internet subscribers and 743,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services, including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $300 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.8 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Fourteen TELUS Community Boards lead TELUS' local philanthropic initiatives. 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.

SOURCE: TELUS Corporation