Released on December 22, 2010
SaskTel has expanded its 3G+ wireless network to 17 more locations across the province of Saskatchewan.
"Construction of the 3G+ network is a significant development for SaskTel and its customers in Saskatchewan," Minister responsible for SaskTel Bill Boyd said. "When the network is complete in 2011 it will be available to 98 per cent of the population."
"Our 3G+ wireless network delivers increased bandwidth, greater international roaming and a wider selection of wireless devices," SaskTel President and CEO Ron Styles said. "3G+ is the new industry standard and will enable SaskTel to make a smooth transition to future generations of wireless technology."
The 17 tower locations, along with 3G+ coverage details, are:
- Alameda Rural: provides coverage to the oil and gas area north of Alameda including highway 9 between Oxbow and Carlyle.
- Big Beaver: provides coverage to the Big Beaver area east of Coronach including highways 18 and 34.
- Biggar North: provides coverage to the area north of Biggar including highway 4.
- Carnduff: provides coverage to the town of Carnduff and the surrounding area including highway 18 west of Gainsborough.
- Divide: provides coverage to the area southeast of Consul and north of the U.S. border.
- Ituna: provides coverage to the town of Ituna and the surrounding area including highway 15.
- Kerrobert: provides coverage to the town of Kerrobert and the surrounding area including highways 21, 31 and 51.
- Lafleche: provides coverage to the town of Lafleche and the surrounding area including highways 13 and 58.
- Manor: provides coverage to the oil field region east of Carlyle including highway 13 between Carlyle and Redvers.
- Mistatim: provides coverage to the Mistatim area between Tisdale and Humboldt including highway 3.
- Oxbow: provides coverage to the town of Oxbow and along highways 9 and 18.
- Porcupine Plain: provides coverage to the town of Porcupine Plain and the surrounding area including highways 23 and 38.
- Star City: provides coverage to the area between Tisdale and Melfort including the town of Star City and highway 3.
- Sturgis: provides coverage to the town and the area immediately surrounding Sturgis.
- Tisdale: provides coverage to the town of Tisdale and the surrounding area including highways 3 and 35.
- Wadena: provides coverage to the town of Wadena and the surrounding area including highways 5 and 35.
- Wood Mountain: provides coverage to the area south of Wood Mountain including highway 18.
The 3G+ network provides increased bandwidth with download speeds approximately four times faster than existing speeds (up to 21 megabits per second). It is also compatible with approximately 80 per cent of all networks across the world and international roaming customers will be able to use their SaskTel 3G+ device on 3G+ networks anywhere.
The current SaskTel 3G+ device line-up includes:
- BlackBerry® TorchTM 9800
- BlackBerry® BoldTM 9780
- BlackBerry® BoldTM 9700
- BlackBerry® CurveTM 9300
- BlackBerry® PearlTM 9100
- LG Optimus QuantumTM (coming soon)
- LG Rumour PlusTM (coming soon)
- LG FlickTM (coming soon)
- Nokia C6
- Nokia 7230
- Nokia 6350
- Samsung Galaxy S VibrantTM
- Samsung Gravity Touch
- Samsung Gravity 3
- Samsung RugbyTM II
- Novatel MC998D Mobile Internet Stick
- Novatel Mi-Fi 2372 Mobile Hotspot
SaskTel plans to support the existing CDMA digital network for the foreseeable future to ensure that all wireless customers continue to enjoy a full selection of wireless services that best suit their needs. Customers can now choose from a wide range of devices for both the existing CDMA network and the new 3G+ network.
About SaskTel
Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, with $1.15 billion in annual revenue and more than 1.4 million customer connections including more than 560,000 wireless accesses, 543,000 wireline network accesses, 225,000 Internet accesses and 83,000 MaxTM (TV) subscribers. SaskTel offers a wide range of communications products and services including competitive voice, data, Internet, entertainment, national security, messaging, cellular, wireless data and directory services. In addition, SaskTel International offers software solutions and project consulting in countries around the world. In 2009, SaskTel contributed more than $651 million to the Saskatchewan economy through dollars spent with Saskatchewan-based suppliers and sponsorships to non-profit organizations. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 4,800 employees. Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.
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For more information, contact:
Andy Tate
SaskTel
Regina
Phone: 306-777-4548
Email: andy.tate@sasktel.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-1226
Michelle Englot
SaskTel
Regina
Phone: 306-777-4476
Email: michelle.englot@sasktel.sk.ca
Cell: 306-539-0691