We also like the outlook of these 3 telcos

Article Excerpt

While BCE remains our favourite telco, we still have a high opinion of these three. Each faces unique challenges, and their concentration in certain regions adds risk. However, ongoing investments in their networks will continue to help them hang on to customers in the face of strong competition from cable companies and Internet-based phone services. That will also let them maintain or increase their dividends. TELUS CORP. (Toronto symbols T $57 and T.A $57; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 325.0 million; Market cap: $18.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.8; Dividend yield: 4.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.telus.com) gets most of its growth from wireless services. Its 7.3 million subscribers across Canada now supply 52% of its earnings. The remaining 48% of Telus’s earnings comes from its wireline division, which mainly consists of 3.6 million traditional phone customers in B.C., Alberta and eastern Quebec. This division also includes 1.3 million Internet users and 509,000 TV customers. Telus added 369,000 wireless subscribers (net of deactivations)…