Had growth projections in the projection period been lower by more than trivial amounts, or had the discount rate been greater by more than a trivial amount, the March 31, 2026, estimate of the recoverable amount of the TELUS digital cash-generating unit would have been less; we believed that any reasonably possible change in other key assumptions on which our calculation of the recoverable amount of the TELUS digital experience cash-generating unit was based would not have caused its carrying value to exceed its recoverable amount.
On a multi-year basis, the TELUS digital experience cash-generating unit’s competitive industry continues to experience, and be increasingly challenged by, competitors and customers both actively building scale on an accelerated basis and, increasingly, technological innovation. These dynamics adversely affected both the level, timing and nature of customer demand in legacy services, specifically for content moderation and ad-relevancy, search-related services as these are being automated by the transition to AI. The customer demand dynamic is further affected by contract durations that vary by service line and have termination rights for our customers with limited notice and without penalty or termination fees, allowing them to make adjustments to service levels that can adversely, and relatively quickly, impact our revenue.
In the context of this multi-year experience for the TELUS digital experience cash-generating unit, during the three-month period ended June 30, 2024, we determined that updated growth projections had resulted in its estimated recoverable amount to be slightly in excess of its carrying amount; and, during the three-month period ended June 30, 2025, we determined that updated growth projections had resulted in its estimated recoverable amount being exceeded by its carrying amount and thus recorded a $0.5 billion goodwill impairment.
As part of our ongoing consideration of trends, commitments, events and uncertainties informing our significant estimates and assumptions, in the context of cash-generating unit impairment testing, we determine if, and how, it is necessary to adjust growth projections in the projection period. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2026, we experienced demand ramp-downs and more pronounced churn in legacy services provided to certain hyperscale customers as these services are being automated faster than anticipated. We have also reassessed our AI-enabling services growth trajectory and, while these services are expected to grow: customer adoption is slower than we previously anticipated, notably for certain larger customers; sales cycles have become further extended, both for existing and new customers; and, deal sizes have compressed. The extended sales cycles affect and challenge the entirety of the projection period. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2026, we determined it necessary to further downward adjust the growth projections in the projection period used for our impairment testing so as to reflect current economic conditions and updated historical information.
The June 30, 2026, test, using an estimated recoverable amount of $1.8 billion, resulted in an impairment of $2.1 billion, of which $1.6 billion was an irreversible goodwill impairment (which reduced the carrying value of the TELUS digital experience cash-generating unit’s goodwill to $NIL) and the remainder of $0.5 billion was allocated to related customer relationships. Such recoverable amount was determined based on a fair value less costs of disposal method (such method categorized as a Level 3 fair value measure) and used a discount rate of 9.6% (December 31, 2025 – 9.6%), a perpetual growth rate of 2.5% (December 31, 2025 – 2.5%) and cash flow projections through the end of 2030 (December 31, 2025 – 2029). We validated the results of the recoverable amount through a market-comparable approach and an analytical review of industry facts and facts that are specific to us.
The fair value less costs of disposal method uses discounted cash flow projections that employ the following key assumptions: future cash flows and growth projections; associated economic risk assumptions and estimates of the likelihood of achieving key operating metrics and drivers; and the future weighted average cost of capital. Had growth projections declined in the projection period by more than trivial amounts, or had the discount rate increased by more than a trivial amount, the June 30, 2026, estimate of the recoverable amount of the TELUS digital experience cash-generating unit would be less; we believe that any reasonably possible change in other key assumptions on which our calculation of the recoverable amount of the TELUS digital experience cash-generating unit is based would not cause its carrying value to further exceed its recoverable amount. If the future were to adversely differ from management’s best estimates for the key assumptions and associated cash flows were to be materially adversely affected, we could potentially experience future material impairment charges in respect of the TELUS digital experience cash-generating unit. Conversely, if management’s future best estimates were to favourably differ from management’s current best estimates of key assumptions and associated cash flows were to be materially positively affected, we could potentially experience future limited reversals of previously recorded impairment charges in respect of the TELUS digital experience cash-generating unit’s related customer relationships.
