SaskTel planning for an even busier Christmas calling season

More than 820,000 calls expected on Christmas Day – a 3% increase over last year

December 19, 2008

SaskTel projects a three percent increase in long distance call volumes on Christmas Day this year. There will be approximately 820,000 long distance calls to locations across the province and around the world.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to help our customers get in touch with their friends and family at Christmas time,” SaskTel President and CEO Robert Watson said. “On behalf of everyone at SaskTel, I want to wish our customers a happy and safe holiday season.”

About 45 per cent of Christmas Day calls are expected to be made to locations in Saskatchewan, while about 51 per cent of the calls will be to Canadian destinations outside of the province. About 4 per cent of the calls will go to the United States and overseas.

The increase in long distance calling during the holidays may result in some network congestion.  Customers can minimize any inconvenience by remembering to:

• place calls outside of the busy hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.;
• place direct-dialed calls instead of operator-assisted calls;
• verify phone numbers in advance;
• take time zones into consideration.

For more information, please contact:

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