SaskTel today announced it will be adding additional capacity to its 4G wireless network in the following resort communities across rural Saskatchewan to address the ever-growing customer demand: Anglin Lake, Buffalo Pound Lake, Candle Lake, Emma Lake, Elrose, Fishing Lake, Good Spirit Lake, Greenwater Lake, Arlington Beach, Etters Beach, Kenosee Lake, Madge Lake, Regina Beach, Sarnia Beach, Tobin Lake, Wakaw Lake, and White Bear Resort. SaskTel will be adding a second 850 Mhz carrier in these 17 communities approximately doubling the network capacity in most locations.

"SaskTel understands the importance of providing communications services in rural areas and it will continue to enhance the wireless network to improve the customer experience," said Kevin Doherty, Minister Responsible for SaskTel. "In addition to 118 rural communities that received upgrades in late 2014, SaskTel has worked year round to complete another 69 projects for a total of 187 4G enhancements in 2014."

As a result of the 118 communities that received upgrades in 2014, the following adjacent 11 resort communities served by those locations also received a capacity upgrade: Cypress Hills Resort, Shell Lake, Turtle Lake Resort, Mainprize, Meadow Lake Provincial Park, Makwa Lake, Jackfish Lake, Thompson Lake, Douglas Provincial Park, Mission Lake and Echo Lake.

"We understand the growing demand for coverage in resort communities especially during peak seasons," said Ron Styles, SaskTel President and CEO. "Not only are we the first and only provider to extend wireless coverage to resorts, we are also committed to investing in the service to add capacity to keep pace with demand."

SaskTel uses a variety of infrastructure options to enhance wireless service based on usage patterns and demands. The addition of sectors and carriers increase network capacity by adding more radio frequency channels. Each additional carrier added to a site will increase the network capacity at that site by an incremental amount. Adding a second carrier approximately doubles network capacity. Going from two to three additional carriers increases network capacity by approximately 50 per cent above that and going from three to four additional carriers increases capacity by a further 33 per cent. Increasing sectors adds an antenna which further improves coverage and capacity.

About SaskTel

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, with $1.2 billion in annual revenue and over 1.4 million customer connections including over 607,000 wireless accesses, 492,000 wireline network accesses, 250,000 internet accesses and 100,000 Max™ (TV) subscribers. SaskTel offers a wide range of communications products and services including competitive voice, data, internet, entertainment, security monitoring, messaging, cellular, wireless data and directory services. In addition, SaskTel International offers software solutions and project consulting in countries around the world. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 4,000 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.

For media inquiries only, please contact:
Tara Tibeau, SaskTel Manager of External Communications
306.777.4548
tara.tibeau@sasktel.com

118 Communities -- Completed

11 Resort Communities - Completed

17 Resort Communities -- Additional 4G Capacity to be added