SaskTel cellular customers can save money with new cellular plans;
text messaging rates to change
October 16, 2008
SaskTel today announced the introduction of two new sets of postpaid cellular rate plans. Effective October 16, 2008, SaskTel’s consumer and small business customers will be able to sign up for the Unlimited Talk and Unlimited Talk North America plans, which will provide even more free calling, long distance savings and value than before.
“We’re excited about our new streamlined calling plans that offer simplified options and the potential for terrific savings to our customers,” said Robert Watson, SaskTel President and CEO. “SaskTel continues to offer superior value, customer service and coverage to the people of Saskatchewan.”
SaskTel also announced that effective November 1, 2008, SaskTel will be increasing the price of SaskTel Text Messaging subscription plans. The Text Messaging Basic Plan, which includes 100 sent text messages, will increase from $5 to $6 per month. Additional messages will continue to be 15 cents per sent message. The Text Messaging Unlimited Plan, which includes unlimited text messages, will increase from $10 to $13 per month. All incoming text messages will continue to be free.
As text messaging continues to grow in popularity, the cost to support the volume of messages received on SaskTel’s network continues to increase as well. With over 8.5 million text messages sent and received on SaskTel’s network every day, it is important to ensure that text messages arrive quickly and reliably. SaskTel does not charge for incoming text messages, unlike many of SaskTel’s competitors, and even with this price increase, SaskTel still offers one of the lowest priced unlimited plans to its customers.
The new Unlimited Talk calling plans start at just $20 per month and include:
- unlimited local calling within Saskatchewan with other SaskTel cellular customers;
- unlimited local evening and weekend minutes (including free airtime for calls from anywhere in Canada, to anywhere in Canada – long distance charges are extra);
- a set number of local minutes that can be used during the day, starting at 300 minutes per month.
The Unlimited Talk North America plans include local and long distance calling and start at just $40 per month. They include:
- unlimited Saskatchewan airtime and long distance when calling other SaskTel cellular customers any time of day (both customers must be in Saskatchewan during the call);
- unlimited long distance evening and weekend minutes to anywhere in Canada or the United States (call must originate in Saskatchewan – includes airtime and long distance);
- a set number of daytime minutes that can be used for calls placed anywhere in Canada or the U.S., starting at 300 minutes per month.
Customers signing a new contract will choose from among the new plan options. Existing customers can contact SaskTel if they wish to switch to a new plan. There is no fee to switch plans.
(Editors Note – please refer to the Backgrounder for a comparison of the old and new plans, and for a chart comparing SaskTel’s text messaging rates with competitors.)
About SaskTel
Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, offering competitive voice, data, dial-up and high speed internet, entertainment and multimedia services, security, web hosting, text and messaging services, and cellular and wireless data services over its digital networks. The Corporation also provides security monitoring services through SecurTek, directory services through DirectWest, in-room communications services to the healthcare sector through Hospitality Network, telecommunications consulting and software solutions through SaskTel International and an out-of-province sales and service channel in Alberta and British Columbia. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 5,200 full-time, part-time and temporary employees. Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.
For more information, please contact:
Andy Tate, SaskTel Media Relations
Phone: (306) 777-4548
Email: andy.tate@sasktel.sk.ca
