Released on July 29, 1998
Deputy Premier and Crown Investments Corporation Minister Dwain
Lingenfelter today announced that SaskTel is now offering its
SympaticoTM High Speed Internet service to residential and business
customers in Weyburn.
"Since SaskTel first offered high-speed Internet service to
residential customers in Regina and Saskatoon in 1996, demand for this
leading-edge technology from customers outside of these cities has
increased," Lingenfelter said. "By expanding this service, SaskTel
will not only meet this demand, but will strengthen the Crown's
position as a leader in the interactive and multimedia service
industry both within Saskatchewan and outside of the province."
Sympatico High Speed offers high-speed Internet access at up to 50
times faster than basic Internet dial service. It also allows
simultaneous phone conversations and Internet use on one phone line.
In November, 1996, SaskTel became the first telephone company in North
America to offer high-speed Internet service using DSL (Digital
Subscriber Line) technology, with the introduction of Sympatico High
Speed to Regina and Saskatoon. Since January, 1998, this service was
expanded to both residential and business customers in Prince Albert,
Moose Jaw, Swift Current, and the Battlefords.
As of today, this service will be available to most residential and
business customers in Weyburn. SaskTel's Sympatico High Speed dealer
in Weyburn is Kerr Computer Centre.
SaskTel is using Internet technology developed by Alcatel a
company whose Canada Wire plant will be the first subscriber to
Sympatico High Speed service in Weyburn. Alcatel Canada Wire
employs 115 people in Weyburn.
"Canadian customers will benefit from this service that leverages
the best of two ADSL pioneers", said Lou Mitrovich, Country
Senior Officer, Alcatel Canada. "Working together, SaskTel and
Alcatel are offering the high-speed networking solutions
increasingly demanded by our Canadian market."
"In using this technology, SaskTel is growing its business while
helping to promote employment in Saskatchewan communities," said
Lingenfelter.
SaskTel offers Sympatico High Speed service to all SaskTel long
distance subscribers for $59.95 per month. For non-SaskTel
long-distance subscribers, the price is $79.95 per month. And,
SaskTel's current summer promotion which runs until August 31,
offers the 12th month free for all new subscribers. Also with
this promotion, the standard $99.00 service connection charge
will be waived for all new subscribers.
SaskTel is the leading full service communications company in
Saskatchewan, providing voice, data, Internet, text and messaging
services over a fiber optic-based, 100 per cent digital network,
as well as cellular, paging and FleetNet 800 service through its
SaskTel Mobility division.
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For more information, contact:
Darcee MacFarlane
SaskTel Corporate Affairs
Regina
Phone: (306) 777-4441