SaskTel announced Monday it will soon launch its infiNET service in the Saskatchewan communities of Canora, Carlyle, Carrot River, Fort Qu’Appelle, Hudson Bay, Kamsack, Lumsden and Watrous, as part of the provincial Crown corporation’s $200-million Rural Fibre Initiative.
SaskTel says in a press release it anticipates select areas in all eight communities will be fibre-ready by mid-January.
Powered by SaskTel’s fibre broadband network, infiNET service delivers internet speeds reaching close to 1 Gbps, according to the release.
“A fast and reliable broadband connection has become an essential tool in today’s world, especially for those living in rural communities,” said Blaine McLeod, MLA for Lumsden-Morse, in the release. “Thanks to this recent expansion, and SaskTel’s larger Rural Fibre Initiative, thousands of families across our province will soon be better equipped to access information online, connect with their network of family and friends, and take advantage of the opportunities the digital economy has to offer.”
The Rural Fibre Initiative is a multi-phase program that will see SaskTel bring infiNET service to more than 110,000 residents and businesses in more than 130 rural communities, the release explains.
“As Saskatchewan’s homegrown communications leader, we are firmly committed to ensuring our customers across the province have access to the communications solutions they need to compete and succeed in the modern world,” said Charlene Gavel, SaskTel president and CEO. “This commitment to our customers is reflected in the significant investments we are making to expand both our 5G and infiNET networks to households and communities across the province.”
The expansion of SaskTel’s infiNET and 5G networks is a direct result of SaskTel’s commitment to invest more than $1.6 billion of capital across Saskatchewan over the next five years, the release says.
Image showing Lumsden’s mayor, Bryan Matheson, standing beside Lumsden sign provided by SaskTel.
