The last ten macro towers have been deployed, announced SaskTel, wrapping up the final phase of the Government of Saskatchewan’s Wireless Saskatchewan initiative. As the Prince Albert Daily Herald reports, the project was launched in 2017 with the goal of delivering 4G LTE wireless service throughout the province. The outreach was particularly concerned with outreach to previously underserved areas within the province.
Over the life of the project, SaskTel built small cell sites to connect 105 remote communities. The investment of $107 million was for 89 macro towers in public areas and along highways to improve coverage and promote connectivity. SaskTel also upgraded numerous existing cell towers and can now boast 34 towers in its High-Speed Fusion Internet network. “With more than 1,000 SaskTel cell towers spread throughout the province, Saskatchewan has the best wireless coverage in western Canada,” stated Canadian politician, Don Morgan.
“At SaskTel,” noted SaskTel President and CEO Doug Burnett, “We are committed to being the best at connecting Saskatchewan people to what matters most. With Wireless Saskatchewan,” he continued, “We are able to make tangible and meaningful progress in addressing gaps in wireless coverage in underserved rural areas. Looking to the future, the new towers we’ve constructed as part of this program will help us bring 5G deeper into rural Saskatchewan, ensuring the rural residents and businesses will also benefit from the same technological advancements that many in urban areas take for granted.”
Communities now connected by SaskTel service include Prince Albert, Carrot River, Candle Lake, and Marean Lake, as well as those in Aberdeen, Mount Pleasant, Shaunavon, and East Fairwell.
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