Telus sees potential in health care

Telus (Toronto: T.TO) sees a burgeoning opportunity to supply communications wares to the health care industry, an effort that's been spurred on by the carrier to help improve Canada's health care system.

At the top of the telco's list, reports Reuters, is helping health care providers move ahead with telehealth, a concept that not only enables doctors to remotely monitor patients, but also improve personal health records by putting them on digital databases.

Speaking at the Canadian Club of Toronto, Darren Entwistle, CEO of Telus, said it has invested in $796 million to upgrade the country's outdated health care system, adding that Canada will spend a quarter of a trillion (Canadian) dollars by 2020.

"I think a significant amount of that spending is going to transpire within the information, communication and technology area and we have built a leadership position in that particular space," he said.

Entwistle's speech is not just lip service. In addition to purchasing Emergis, Telus in March struck a deal with Microsoft to create an online medical database with Microsoft Corp. directed at the health care industry.

For more:
- Reuters has this article

Related articles:
Telus upgrades Vancouver network to challenge Shaw Cable
Telus commits capital to Alberta wireline, wireless market
Telus' wireline revenues dip, but IP services continue to shine
Weak Canadian economy drives down Telus Q3 earnings
Telus IPTV gains, satellite coverage expands
Telus starts re-selling BCE satellite TV