The IT Nerd

TELUS is making it easier for Canadians to navigate the complexity of installing and managing multiple smart home products with the launch of HomePro, a new à la carte and subscription service offering customers access to in-person and 24/7 online tech experts to support nearly every connected device in their home. TELUS has partnered with tech-care industry leader Asurion to provide customers with device protection coverage and online support for everything from device setup, installation, troubleshooting and more. In addition to personalized support, HomePro also includes a monthly membership to Amazon Prime at no cost (valued at $9.99 per month), courtesy of TELUS.

HomePro offers two monthly subscription plans and in-person à la carte services: 

• HomePro Starter plan: for $15 per month, customers get 24/7 virtual (chat or phone) access to expert technical support and set up for almost any device in the home, plus access to an Amazon Prime membership. This means that customers can connect with tech experts any time for personalized support, including set up of the latest electronics purchased in Amazon or elsewhere. HomePro Starter is now available across Canada, excluding Quebec.
• HomePro Plus plan: for $25 per month, customers will receive all the benefits of HomePro Starter, including access to an Amazon Prime membership, plus device protection coverage on almost every device in their home — regardless of where or when it was purchased. For an additional $10 to the monthly cost of HomePro Starter, customers can enjoy peace of mind knowing their tech is better protected against unexpected issues. HomePro Plus will be rolling out across Canada in the coming months. 
• In-person à la carte services are available for customers needing expert tech installations and setup of almost any device – from mounting a TV, to setting up Wi-Fi, to configuring a smart thermostat – without requiring a subscription. HomePro in-person services are currently available exclusively in Calgary with plans to bring these services to more Canadian provinces in the coming months.

From fast, free delivery for millions of items to accessing a vast library of streaming entertainment, Amazon Prime gives HomePro members the ability to enjoy the exclusive features and services offered with a Prime membership — including Prime Video, Prime Delivery, Amazon Music Prime, Prime Gaming, Prime Reading, and Amazon Photos, among others. Customers with an existing Prime membership can simply link their subscription billing over to their MyTELUS account and have their monthly Prime membership included within their HomePro subscription — with no changes to their Amazon Prime account preferences, viewing history or profile.

HomePro is available to all customers regardless of whether they have current TELUS services.
For more information about HomePro and to become a member, visit telus.com/homepro

Today, TELUS announced a doubling of its commitment to the TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund, raising the investment from $1 million to $2 million over the next five years. In alignment with TELUS’ Reconciliation Commitment, the Indigenous Community Fund enables social outcomes and creates space for grant recipients to impact their communities in meaningful ways. With recent reports stating that programming for Indigenous youth in Canada is underfunded, understaffed, and underpaid, this announcement underscores TELUS’ dedication to strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and enabling transformative outcomes that will be felt by generations to come. 

Launched in November 2021, the TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund provides grant funding to Indigenous-led organizations and community groups that support mental health and well-being, language and cultural revitalization, access to education, and community building, including: 

• Big Horn Health Services: grant funding will support the Reserve Recreation Facility Project in Alberta, by building a new accessible playground, fostering community-wellness while meeting the physical, cognitive, and social needs of children and youth. 
• Workforce Warriors: grant funding will assist in the expansion of its STEM training program for young Indigenous people in rural Ontario and offer hands-on training to build careers in telecommunications.
• N’Quatqua First Nation: grant funding will support the “Learning to live off the land” program, connecting youth in BC to the land and teaching them traditional ways of gathering and hunting. 

TELUS has a longstanding commitment to strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, acknowledging that our work spans many Traditional Territories and Treaty areas. With a $10M leadership commitment to support Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, in 2021, TELUS became the first and only telecom company in Canada to launch an Indigenous Reconciliation Commitment and Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan. In addition to these significant investments, TELUS is continuing to expand its Mobility for Good for Indigenous Women at Risk, developed in partnership with Indigenous-led organizations across the country, to provide free smartphones and data plans to Indigenous women at risk of or surviving violence, helping them stay connected to vital resources and support. 

For more information on TELUS’ Reconciliation commitment, please visit telus.com/reconciliation.  

For more information on the TELUS Indigenous Community Fund, please visit telus.com/ICF

Today, three British Columbia-founded companies — TELUS, tentree and veritree, and Teck Resources — are joining 1t.org in the fight against climate change and wildfire deforestation. 1t.org — co-founded by the World Economic Forum and Salesforce in 2020 – has announced the launch of its Canadian chapter and a commitment to protecting or restoring 1 billion trees in the country by 2030 in support of the federal government’s stated goal of conserving, restoring, and growing 2-billion trees. 

This news is especially timely as just last week Canada’s Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault called on businesses to fight climate change with their wallets. The unprecedented number of wildfires across Canada this summer — including some devastating scenes in B.C. — proves that we need leadership and solutions for climate change in both the public and private sectors. Other Canadian companies including Manulife have also committed to participating in the new chapter. 

The 1t.org Canada Chapter will support the goals of Canada’s forest conservation efforts, as well as the restoration goals of the Canadian Government’s 2 Billion Trees Program, set up to collaborate with governments and organisations to plant two billion trees over the course of 10 years. The chapter also aims to support the monumental Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework which sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.

Telecommunications play a critical role in the climate change discussion. It’s why companies like TELUS are invited to sit at the strategy table with wildfire experts during increasingly severe fire seasons. With climate change fuelling increasingly severe wildfires across Canada, TELUS has been building specialized expertise to ensure vital lines of communication remain open so that impacted residents and emergency providers are connected to reliable networks when and where they are needed the most. By necessity, that expertise has now expanded to seasonal flooding. 

TELUS is also looking to the future; specifically, supporting Canada in reaching its Paris climate targets through digital technology. 

A new report “Clean Connection: How Digitiation Can Support Canada’s Path to Net-Zero” developed by Toronto Metropolitan University in partnership with 17 cross-industry organizations, and sponsored by TELUS, has found that digital tech — missing from Canada’s climate action plan — is a virtually untapped resource and the missing link in Canada’s journey toward net-zero. The report lays out 10 recommendations that industry actors and policy-makers should take to realize the benefits that connectivity can have on lowering emissions.

The public conversation surrounding climate change policy completely misses this data-backed reality.

Here is the link to the report: https://dais.ca/reports/clean-connection-how-digitization-can-support-canadas-path-to-net-zero/

The news is out that TELUS is the first wireless carrier in Canada to support iPhone eSIM Quick Transfer! 

Available to TELUS and Koodo customers with compatible iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or later with iOS 12.1 or later, this exciting new capability allows users to conveniently manage their existing SIM Card directly on their iPhone any time, anywhere – without needing to step foot into a store or calling in!

With iPhone eSIM Quick Transfer, customers now have the ability to:

1. Convert their physical SIM card into an eSIM directly on their iPhone with ease
2. Transfer their phone number from either an existing physical SIM card or eSIM on a previous iPhone to a new iPhone seamlessly.
   

TELUS customers have access to all the latest 5G-enabled devices – including the Apple iPhone 14 lineup – on an award-winning 5G network that gives back to Canadians in-need through programs, like Mobility for Good, which helps youth aging out of foster care and low-income seniors stay connected to what matters most.

You can find out more at telus.com/eSIM

Already supporting more than 3,200 Government Assisted Refugees across Canada, TELUS today announced that it will now support even more government assisted refugees arriving in Canada with low cost home Internet and mobility plans as well as free mobile devices, in partnership with its expanded network of Resettlement Assistance Program service provider organizations. 

According to the United Nations, refugees are 50 per cent less likely than the general population to have an Internet-enabled phone, and 29 per cent of refugee households have no phone at all. TELUS’ programs for Government Assisted Refugees are helping families begin their new lives in Canada, enabling them to get connected to their friends, family and new support networks, as well as access essential services and critical online resources. The program is available across Canada where TELUS home Internet and mobility services are offered. 

TELUS has partnered with 13 Resettlement Assistance Program service provider organizations across the country, some of which include Immigrant Services Society of B.C., Inter Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, Immigrant Services Calgary, London Cross Cultural Learning Centre, Rainbow Railroad and CREDIL, with plans to partner with additional service provider organizations across the country and to expand the Connecting for Good for Government Assisted Refugees program to more communities.  

Mobility for Good for Government Assisted Refugees is available nationwide and includes mobility services for $25 a month and a free certified pre-owned device. Internet for Good for Government Assisted Refugees plans start at $10/month for 2 years and are available in British Columbia, Alberta, and parts of Quebec, where TELUS offers home Internet services. Currently, the Internet for Good program offers speeds up to 50 Mbps, with a 150Mbps plan set to launch in July. 

In addition to supporting Government Assisted Refugees through its Internet and Mobility for Good programs, and as an extension of this announcement, TELUS is also working with ISSofBC to sponsor an immigrant family, enabling them to establish their roots in Canada. This includes more than $50,000 in funding to assist the family during their first year in Canada, as well as support from TELUS team members who have been volunteering as “settlement mentors,” virtually meeting with the family on a regular basis as they prepare for their life transition and move to Canada. 

Earlier this year, TELUS’ Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area Community Board provided MakeWay Charitable Society with a grant to support their Welcome Groups for Newcomer Youth program. The funding will match refugee newcomer youth with volunteers for six months of settlement and integration support in order to provide them with guidance, training and access to resources to build their capacity and address their unique needs.

TELUS’ programming in support of  Government Assisted Refugees is part of its broader Connecting for Good portfolio of programs that gives people in need access to TELUS’ world-leading technology. To learn more about TELUS Internet and Mobility for Good  for Government Assisted Refugees, visit telus.com/GovAssistedRefugees.

Resettlement agencies interested in becoming a partner can contact TELUS at connectingforgood@telus.com. 

A new survey commissioned by TELUS SmartHome Security, a trusted security leader with over one million customers, found that the top motivators for Canadians’ adopting a home security system include the ability to protect themselves and their loved ones (57%), record criminal activity to help keep their neighbourhood safe (50%), monitor their home while on vacation (50%), and keep an eye out for deliveries/potential parcel theft (49%). 

In addition to added protection and monitoring, Canadians are looking for cost savings at home too, with finances being named as the leading stressor for Canadians, specifically those aged 18-54. With TELUS SmartHome Security, Canadians can save on energy costs and invest in protecting their high value possessions without any upfront payments, as well as take advantage of its automation and home insurance features to save on bills. Here’s some more information on that:

• Cost-saving benefits with bundle purchasing: TELUS SmartHome Security offers a monthly fee as low as $15 per month without any upfront payments, and customers who sign up for a professionally monitored security plan before July 31 get up to $1,500 of equipment on TELUS and free professional installation. Canadians could be saving themselves hundreds of dollars a year while enjoying the advanced capabilities of Canada’s #1 home security provider.
• Energy-saving automation: TELUS SmartHome Security is delivering energy savings equivalent to taking 5,200 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off the road per year. With TELUS Smart Thermostats and power usage monitoring, Canadians can program temperature schedules, get critical temperature alerts, and control devices from their smartphones for easy temperature regulation. 
• Improving home efficiency through smart technology: TELUS SmartHome Security helps keep your home safe while making everyday life a little less complicated. From checking who’s at the door to changing the temperature on the thermostat, customers can control their entire home simply from the SmartHome Security app on their mobile phone. 
• Top-of-the-line protection for one’s biggest investments: With over 150 years of home security experience, TELUS SmartHome Security is Canada’s most trusted security provider for a reason. Canadians can rest easy knowing their home and belongings are protected.

Here’s a full range of plans and devices.

TELUS’ #StandWithOwners program is back for its fourth consecutive year, championing business owners, leaders and teams who are doing things differently and making an impact in their local communities. With small businesses employing 10 million Canadians, representing 69 per cent of private sector employment growth in Canada year-over-year, TELUS is recognizing the critical role business owners play in fueling innovation, propelling economic growth and driving social change. 

Starting today until September 6, 2023, businesses can apply at telus.com/StandWithOwners for a chance to win one of five grand prize packages, valued at over $125,000 each, including $50,000 in cash, $50,000 in advertising, over $25,000 in technology and business services from TELUS and their partners, a round-trip package to Vancouver to celebrate their achievement, as well as access to customized mentorship through the TELUS advisory council. In addition, 15 finalists will each receive $20,000 in funding, technology and additional prizing. Throughout the summer, applicants will also be randomly selected as part of the “50 Days of Hustle” to win further prizes. 

Applicants will demonstrate how their business is changing the game, solving the problems of today and tomorrow and using technology to grow and differentiate their business. Winners will be selected by a judging panel that includes Roi Ross, Vice-president of Marketing at TELUS Business; Anjali Kapal, Vice-president, Product Management & Customer Experience at Canada Post; Penny Hicks, Managing Director, Client Partnerships at The Globe and Mail; and Mark Hickman, Managing Director at Sage Canada.

The panel of judges also features Lourdes Juan, Founder of Leftovers Foundation and 2021 #StandWithOwners winner. As an award-winning entrepreneur who has founded a diverse array of organizations, Juan knows firsthand the importance of being recognized as a growing business and having the support of other business leaders in the community.

TELUS is a proud supporter of Canadian business. Since 2020, TELUS has committed $3.5 million to #StandWithOwners, providing funding, advertising and technology to help businesses thrive in a digital world. As part of TELUS’ greater commitment to the growth of Canadian business, over $300 million has been invested to support entrepreneurs, start-ups and leaders of tomorrow through the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good and TELUS Ventures.

To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit telus.com/StandWithOwners.

Earlier this year, news came out that TELUS might have been the victim of a cyberattack. Here’s what was said to be out in the wild at the time:

Canada’s second-largest telecom, TELUS is investigating a potential data breach after a threat actor shared samples online of what appears to be employee data. The threat actor subsequently posted screenshots that apparently show private source code repositories and payroll records held by the company.

At the time, TELUS said that they were investigating this. And today we have the results of that investigation:

We have concluded our investigation of this incident and have discovered that no systems used to support our customers were impacted, and that TELUS Health and TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods were not impacted in any way. 

We also discovered that a small amount of customer data may have been accessed by an unauthorized third party. While our ongoing monitoring has not discovered evidence of any personal information appearing in any public forum, we will be notifying impacted customers in the coming days.

So this confirms that TELUS was pwned. And I have to wonder what “a small amount of customer data” means. Plus whatever amount of customer data that “may have been accessed by an unauthorized third party” is too much as no amount of customer data should ever get out into the wild. It will be interesting to see how many people get notified by TELUS. And finally, I have to wonder what effect this will have on TELUS as a brand. You can expect me to keep an eye on all of this.

TM Forum today announced that Canadian communications technology company, TELUS, has become the first North American Communications Service Provider (CSP) to secure ‘Running on ODA’ status. Joining Axiata, Jio and Vodafone Group, TELUS is the fourth CSP to gain this recognition, meaning network architectures following TM Forum’s Open Digital Architecture (ODA) principles now support millions of customers worldwide.

ODA provides a blueprint to help CSPs transform into agile digital organizations, rapidly bringing new products to market at significantly reduced cost, while improving customer experience.

The ‘Running on ODA’ award recognizes advancements in TELUS’ IT architecture and delivery capabilities, using cloud-native, vendor-agnostic solutions integrated by TM Forum’s industry standard Open APIs. ODA enables TELUS to deliver products and services built from reusable components to over 9 million customers.

ODA has enabled TELUS to continue delivering innovative technology solutions and revolutionize its go-to-market strategy. For example, it recently launched a new offering across all six of its go-to-market channels simultaneously at a third of the usual cost and reducing time-to-market by one third. Prior to ODA-aligned architecture, this would have involved creating two versions of a product for wireless and wireline systems and launching it sequentially over various channels.

TELUS is the latest CSP to have been awarded ‘Running on ODA’ status, with another four organizations under assessment and three further organizations eligible.