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SaskTel increasing 4G capacity in another 42 communities

SaskTel increasing 4G capacity in another 62 Communities

April 6, 2015

SaskTel today announced it will be adding additional capacity to its 4G wireless network at 63 tower locations that will enhance service to the following 62 communities and surrounding areas across rural Saskatchewan to address the ever-growing customer demand: Asquith, Assiniboia, Aylesbury, Belle Plaine, Bethune, Cactus Lake, Carlyle, Carrot River, Carry the Kettle FN, Chamberlain, Choiceland, Churchbridge, Coleville, Coronach, Craik, Crooked River, Cudworth, Cumberland House, Dinsmore, Englefeld, Esterhazy, Eyebrow, George Gordon FN, Grenfell, Griffin, Invermay, James Smith FN, Kamsack, Kawacatoose FN, Keeseekoose FN, Kipling, Kiyiu Lake, Kyle, La Loche, Lemberg, Lestock, Luseland, Macklin, Manor, Marsden, Montmartre, Naicam, Neilburg, Nokomis, Porcupine Plain, Quill Lake, Rhein, Ridgedale, Rockglen, Saltcoats, Smiley, Southend, Spruce Home, Strasbourg, Tisdale, Wadena, Wapella, Watson, Wawota, Whitewood, Wilkie, and Wood Mountain.  

SaskTel will be adding a second 850 Mhz carrier to the 63 towers serving these 62 communities approximately doubling the network capacity in most locations.

“SaskTel understands the importance of providing communications services in rural areas and they will continue to enhance the wireless network to improve the customer experience,” said Kevin Doherty, Minister Responsible for SaskTel.

“We are the first provider to extend wireless coverage to rural Saskatchewan, including resort communities,” said Ron Styles SaskTel President and CEO.  “We are also committed to investing in the service to add capacity to keep pace with ongoing 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 $1.1 billion in annual revenue and over 1.4 million customer connections including over 618,000 wireless accesses, 437,000 wireline network accesses, 258,000 Internet accesses and 103,000 maxTV 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.