SaskTel to deliver next-generation connectivity

REGINA – SaskTel says it is allocating $465.9 million to capital projects across Saskatchewan in 2025/26.

Highlights of SaskTel’s allocation program include:

5G deployment - $111.5 million

SaskTel 5G delivers hyper-fast data speeds that will increase over time to continue meeting customer’s evolving needs for years to come, the Crown corporation states. SaskTel says, as the network matures, it will support technological advancements in remote health care, education, agriculture, resource management and many other industries and sectors that are critical to the economic prosperity and standard of living across Saskatchewan.

SaskTel plans to construct five new cell sites and upgrade more than 170 existing cell sites serving rural, resort and First Nations communities, as well as major highway corridors and other rural areas to 5G technology.

Fibre-to-the-x (FTTx) program - $90.5 million

SaskTel infiNET^TM delivers service to 100 communities spread across the province. As a fibre-based network, SaskTel can expand the capacity of the infiNET network to accommodate the evolving bandwidth needs of customers.

SaskTel will continue to invest in its Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) and Fibre-to-the-Business (FTTB) initiatives, collectively known as FTTx. These investments will allow SaskTel to expand the infiNET network to as many as 60 communities included in its Rural Fibre Initiative. SaskTel will also work to complete its fibre network builds in the nine major urban centres, with a focus on connecting multi-dwelling units and businesses to the infiNET network.

Aurora program - $83.5 million

SaskTel infiNET network delivers internet to residents in more than 30 northern and Indigenous communities. SaskTel plans to construct eight new cell sites to bring wireless coverage to Birch Narrows First Nation, Island Lake (Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation), Turnor Lake, as well as along Highway 106, also known as Hanson Lake Road. SaskTel expects to receive up to $139.0 million of funding from the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) to complete the Aurora program.

SaskTel expects to complete the construction of all eight cell sites and launch infiNET service in as many as 23 northern and Indigenous communities. Any remaining communities included in the Aurora program are expected to receive infiNET service by the end of March 2027.

Technology - $77.1 million

SaskTel is strengthening its core networks, enhancing SaskTel selectWI-FI, maintaining maxTV infrastructure and improving its access networks to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality services to customers.

Customer services and operations systems - $102.9 million

SaskTel says it will invest in the ongoing transformation of the Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) system, Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) and enhancements to the Information Systems (IS) infrastructure. These improvements aim to support SaskTel’s frontline operations and offer customers self-service options and seamless interactions across all channels.

These investments will ensure Saskatchewan families and businesses have access to the cutting-edge communications technologies and networks they need to grow and thrive in the digital world.

“For nearly 120 years, SaskTel has invested in and constructed the networks that connect the people of our province to each other and their world,” said Charlene Gavel, SaskTel president and CEO.

“Over half the investments we’ll be making in 2025/26 will be used to expand our fibre optic broadband and 5G networks to residents living in smaller communities, as well as rural and Northern parts of the province. Through these investments we’re doing our part to empower and enrich the lives of our customers all across Saskatchewan.”