SaskTel recently added two new rooftop cell sites in Yorkton to complement an infrastructure enhancement erected in May 2012 on the Yorkton Exhibition grounds. These enhancements have increased the overall capacity of the 4G network in the Yorkton area. Our tests show that in the Yorkton area the dropped call rate is now down to approximately 1%. Dropped data sessions have fallen to approximately 0.5 %. Both of these percentages are below the target performance specifications and industry norms for 4G network performance.
"I'm pleased to announce the increase in network capacity in the Yorkton area, as it supports our vision of all Saskatchewan residents having access to the largest, fastest and most complete wireless network in the Province," said Greg Ottenbreit, MLA, Yorkton. "An increase in service that will reduce dropped calls to approximately 1% in the Yorkton area shows SaskTel's commitment to providing rural Saskatchewan with high quality service."
A carrier increases 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 1 additional carrier approximately doubles network capacity. Going from 2 to 3 additional carriers increases network capacity by approximately 50% above that and going from 3 to 4 additional carriers increases capacity by a further 33%. Increasing sectors adds an antenna which further improves coverage and capacity.
SaskTel originally allocated $70 million dollars for wireless network enhancements, however due to an unprecedented growth in demand SaskTel has increased its budget by over 43%, bringing the total investment in 2012 to approximately $100 million dollars. This investment completed approximately 200 projects across the province including the installation of new towers, antennas, rooftop antennas, carriers, mobile cell sites (COWS) and the sectorization of various locations. In 2013 SaskTel plans on making additional wireless network enhancements that will continue to improve coverage across the province.
