SaskTel delivers faster EV-DO cell service to Regina and Saskatoon

February 8, 2008

SaskTel cellular network customers in Regina, Saskatoon, Martensville and White City now have access to faster data speeds thanks to improved EV-DO Rev A cellular service. EV-DO Rev A technology provides upload data speeds 4 times faster, and download speeds 1.25 times faster, than the previous version of the technology, and enables a host of wireless data services including web browsing, content downloads and video streaming. This improvement is part of a previously announced $11.3 million project to expand or improve EV-DO service in 64 locations across the province by the end of 2008.

“SaskTel’s commitment to offering its customers world-class wireless services is evident from this latest improvement,” Minister of Crown Corporations Ken Cheveldayoff said. “This project to deliver improved wireless data service to residents and businesses across the province brings SaskTel’s total investment in digital cellular service since 1998 to over $138 million.”

“With the much higher speeds made possible by EV-DO Rev A technology, and an EV-DO capable device, SaskTel cellular customers will able to use wireless data services such as web browsing, content downloads, streaming video, streaming radio, email and instant messaging at speeds close to residential internet high speed connections,” SaskTel President and CEO Robert Watson said. “We will continue to invest in our network to provide our customers with the latest wireless technologies over the largest digital cellular network in the province.”

EV-DO Rev A is a third generation network technology available to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cellular carriers that will support peak average upload speeds ranging between 350 kbps and 550 kbps, and peak average download speeds ranging between 2000 kbps and 2300 kbps. In order to use EV-DO Rev A, the customer must be using a EV-DO Rev A capable device in the EV-DO Rev A locations. If customers roam outside of the EV-DO coverage area, the device will switch to 1xRTT coverage automatically. SaskTel’s entire digital network has been enabled with 1xRTT functionality since 2003.

For more information, please contact:

Andy Tate, SaskTel Media Relations
Phone: (306) 777-4548
Email: andy.tate@sasktel.sk.ca