2006 news releases
SaskTel to Invest $310 Million on Next Generation Access Infrastructure
January 25, 2006
Investing in Saskatchewan continues to be the number one priority for SaskTel. Through 2010 SaskTel will make a capital investment of $310 million in its Next Generation Access Infrastructure (NGAI) which will provide increased bandwidth to customers. SaskTel's total capital investment in its network in 2006 will be approximately $245 million, with $136.5 million dedicated to NGAI.
"SaskTel is proving yet again that it is committed to investing in Saskatchewan 's future," Maynard Sonntag, Minister Responsible for SaskTel said. "Since 1997, SaskTel has invested more than $2.7 billion in its provincial network, and the company is committed to providing the people of Saskatchewan with the best possible services at the lowest possible cost, today and tomorrow."
"This major capital investment in SaskTel's infrastructure will enable the company to enhance services like high speed internet and Max T Entertainment Services, and to offer next generation services like voice-over-IP," Robert Watson, SaskTel President and CEO said. "Over the next five years, SaskTel will bring fibre optic cable closer to customer homes, allowing the delivery of enhanced services such as high definition TV and increased internet speeds. We will also continue to focus on improvements to our digital cellular network throughout the province."
Highlights of this year's investment program include:
- Next Generation Access Infrastructure (NGAI) - Over the next five years, NGAI will enable SaskTel to offer increased bandwidth by providing fibre optic cable closer to customer homes. NGAI will result in improved service to Internet and Max customers and the addition of next generation services such as VoIP. NGAI will enable SaskTel to compete successfully in the marketplace and to continue expanding internet and cellular service to rural Saskatchewan. SaskTel will make a capital investment of $136.5 million in NGAI in 2006 and over $310 million through 2010.
- Digital Cellular - Coverage improvements to the SaskTel digital cellular network - the most extensive, far-reaching cellular network in the province. By the end of 2006, SaskTel will have invested more than $120 million in its digital network, offering digital cellular service and 1xRTT functionality to approximately 95% of Saskatchewan's population. SaskTel will invest capital of approximately $37 million in its digital cellular network this year. This includes provincial coverage improvements and expansion ($12 million) and general network improvements ($25 million).
- CommunityNet II - This program provides wireless high speed Internet access to a minimum of 71 communities in the province. Upon completion of the CommunityNet II initiative, SaskTel will have invested approximately $173 million to bring a high quality, price-competitive high speed internet service to Saskatchewan residents and businesses. SaskTel will invest approximately $16 million in the CommunityNet II program in 2006.
- Evolving SaskTel's leading-edge Max Entertainment Services. Customers can watch television and movies, surf the internet, send and receive e-mail and participate in electronic commerce such as home banking or shopping all on the TV and all in one bundle over SaskTel's High Speed Internet network. SaskTel will invest approximately $20 million in Max this year to meet customer demand, make ongoing enhancements and add new features such as personal video recorder and live event pay-per-view.
About SaskTel
SaskTel employs over 3,800 people in communities throughout Saskatchewan and is the leading full service communications provider in the province. It offers competitive voice, data, internet, entertainment and multimedia services, web hosting, text and messaging services over a state-of-the-art digital network. The Corporation also provides cellular and wireless data services, security monitoring services, directory services, in-room communications services to the healthcare sector through Hospitality Network, telecommunications consulting service through SaskTel International and national communications services through Navigata Communications. Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com .
Contact
Michelle Englot , SaskTel Corporate Affairs
Phone: (306) 777-4476
E-mail: michelle.englot@sasktel.sk.ca
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