SaskTel, the telecom operator owned by the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and headquartered in Regina, the provincial capital, announced it is planning to invest more in wireless and fiber optic broadband than in any prior fiscal year. The company expects to spend $304 million in fiscal year 2023-24, and $1.2 billion over the next five years.
Of the total FY 2023-24 investment, more than one-third, roughly $118 million, is allocated to wireless. The company will upgrade more than 260 cell sites to 5G in Saskatchewan’s nine major urban centers, along major highways, and in rural or resort areas. In addition, SaskTel plans to construct up to 10 new cell sites to enhance 5G coverage and capacity in the nine urban centers.
The company has allocated another $78 million to expand its infiNET broadband network, the largest fiber optic network in the province. infiNET delivers internet download speeds close to 1 Gbps to homes and businesses in 27 communities throughout the province. The funds will go towards fiber-to-the-premises and fiber-to-the-business projects to extend infiNET to more communities as part of its nearly $150 million Rural Fiber Initiative. In its nine major urban centers, SaskTel will focus on fiber network builds that connect multi-dwelling units and businesses to the infiNET network.
SaskTel will also invest $52 million in technology to modernize its core networks, upgrade SaskTel select WiFi, enhance maxTV infrastructure, and improve its access networks. The company will spend another $56 million on IT technology for customer service and operation support systems.
“Ensuring that Saskatchewan families, businesses, and communities have access to advanced broadband and wireless technologies is a critical part of our government’s plan to create growth that works for everyone,” said Don Morgan, Minister Responsible for SaskTel.
“In [fiscal] 2023-24, we’re planning to invest more in wireless and fiber optic broadband technologies than ever before,” comments Doug Burnett, SaskTel’s CEO. “These massive investments will enable us to rapidly expand our blazing fast 5G and infiNET networks across the province, allowing more of our customers to experience the true power of these amazing technologies.”
SaskTel is the leading information and communications technology provider in Saskatchewan, with approximately $1.0 billion in annual revenue and over 1.4 million customer connections, at the end of 2022.
By John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor
Reader Interactions