PARIS and REGINA – Saskatchewan’s Crown corporation SaskTel and Alcatel today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to conduct joint research and development.
Once finalized, the agreement will lead to the creation of approximately 20 new R&D positions to be based in Saskatchewan and jointly funded by Alcatel and SaskTel. Robert Watson, president and CEO of SaskTel, Lorne Calvert, premier of Saskatchewan, Serge Tchuruk, CEO and chairman of Alcatel and Hubert de Pesquidoux, EVP and president of Alcatel North America attended the signing ceremony held today at Alcatel’s Paris headquarters.
R&D activity resulting from the MOU will focus on the development of advanced software applications to address global market needs, says the press release. Products and services resulting from the collaboration will be distributed worldwide, utilizing Alcatel’s global market reach, in conjunction with SaskTel International, a wholly owned subsidiary of SaskTel offering global telecommunications consulting services.
"My government is focused on building a better future for Saskatchewan people and this agreement between SaskTel and Alcatel supports our vision," said Calvert. "We’re extremely pleased that this MOU will result in the creation of high tech jobs and contribute to economic development in our province."
"Alcatel has been a valued SaskTel supplier for many years as we have aggressively delivered advanced and exciting new service to our business and residential customers across Saskatchewan," said Watson. "This MOU is a natural evolution of that relationship and will enable us to leverage our combined experience to develop the applications needed to drive the next wave of innovation for the global communications market."
SaskTel has a long history of experimentation with various telecom and video technologies. Its MaxTV digital television service has seen significant success in the province.
The agreement is expected to be finalized and staffing initiated in second half of 2006.
