Telus profits from rise of data usage on smartphones during first quarter

VANCOUVER – Telus Corp. (TSX:T) says customers are using more data on their smartphones which helped push revenues higher in the first quarter.

The telecommunications company posted a 10-per cent jump in profits during the period, driven by growth in both its wireless and landline business.

Net income rose to $415 million, or 68 cents per share, which compared to $377 million, or 61 cents per share in the same period last year.

Operating income moved up by 4.6 per cent to $2.9 billion.

In the wireless division, the company’s operating revenues increased 7.5 per cent to $1.69 billion.

Part of that growth came from wireless network revenues, which got a boost from subscribers spending more time using apps and other data-heavy features of their smartphones. The results were also boosted by more people signing up for new two-year wireless contracts, which charge higher monthly rates.

Telus declared a quarterly dividend of 42 cents per share payable July 2.