EAST CENTRAL — SaskTel announced the names of 21 communities it will be bringing fibre optic internet service to. They include Hudson Bay, La Ronge and Watrous.
Construction in those three communities is expected to start in 2022.
The telecommunications crown added it is investing an additional $50 million into its rural fibre initiative, bringing its total investment to $100 million. The additional money will be used to connect 24 more rural Saskatchewan communities, which have yet to be finalized.
“As Saskatchewan's homegrown communications leader, we continue to heavily invest in our networks so that we can connect our customers to the cutting-edge technologies they need to compete and succeed in the modern world,” said Doug Burnett, SaskTel President and CEO.
Upon completion of its rural fibre initiative, SaskTel estimates that approximately 75 per cent of the population of the province will have access to its fibre optic broadband network.
“Expanding access to leading-edge broadband technology is critical in preparing Saskatchewan for its future,” said Don Morgan, the minister responsible for SaskTel. “As so many of us have adapted to online learning and new ways of working, we have become ever more dependent on high speed internet services. This major investment by SaskTel will help set the stage for Saskatchewan's future and ensure that our province is ready for the post-COVID world with the most advanced communications infrastructure available.”
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan said they were pleased with the announcement.
“Today’s announcements align with the recent recommendations of our Task Force,” said Jeremy Welter, Chair of APAS’s Rural Connectivity Task Force. “This is good news for Saskatchewan’s rural communities and these improvements will help increase their prosperity and resilience in the future.”
