SaskTel today announced it will be adding additional capacity by the end of 2014 to its 4G wireless network in the following 7 communities in rural Saskatchewan to address the ever-growing customer demand: Alida, Gainsborough, Nekaneet, Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay, Spy Hill and Storthoaks.  SaskTel will be adding a second 850 Mhz carrier in these 7 communities approximately doubling the network capacity in most locations.

“SaskTel understands the importance of providing communications services in rural areas and it will continue to enhance the wireless network to improve the customer experience,” said Kevin Doherty, Minister Responsible for SaskTel. “SaskTel has made significant investments in providing cellular service in this province and is the only wireless provider that has and will continue to invest in rural Saskatchewan.”

“In addition to these 7, we also recently announced 4G capacity improvements to 111 different rural communities,” said Ron Styles, SaskTel President and CEO.  “Currently we are evaluating capacity specifically in resort communities and anticipate an announcement detailing additional improvements by location will be ready for early 2015.”

SaskTel uses a variety of infrastructure options to enhance wireless service based on usage patterns and demands. The addition of sectors and carriers increase 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 a second carrier approximately doubles network capacity. Going from two to three additional carriers increases network capacity by approximately 50 per cent above that and going from three to four additional carriers increases capacity by a further 33 per cent. Increasing sectors adds an antenna which further improves coverage and capacity.

About SaskTel
Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, with $1.2 billion in annual revenue and over 1.4 million customer connections including over 607,000 wireless accesses, 492,000 wireline network accesses, 250,000 internet accesses and 100,000 Max™ (TV) subscribers.  SaskTel offers a wide range of communications products and services including competitive voice, data, internet, entertainment, security monitoring, messaging, cellular, wireless data and directory services. In addition, SaskTel International offers software solutions and project consulting in countries around the world.  SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 4,000 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.

For media inquiries only, please contact:
Tara Tibeau, SaskTel Manager of External Communications
306-777-4548
tara.tibeau@sasktel.com