SASKTEL HIGH SPEED INTERNET SERVICE FOR 3 MORE COMMUNITIES

Govan, Spy Hill and Bredenbury residents will now be able to enjoy the benefits of SaskTel High Speed Internet service.

“Thanks to CommunityNet II, Saskatchewan will continue to lead the way in Canada in deploying high speed Internet service to rural communities,” Minister responsible for SaskTel Deb Higgins said.  “Residents and business owners in communities across Saskatchewan are receiving high speed access sooner than many larger urban centres in Canada as a result of this initiative.”

SaskTel High Speed Internet service is up to 50 times faster than dial-up, allows a simultaneous phone conversation on the same phone line, and includes unlimited time on-line.  Local authorized SaskTel High Speed Internet dealers have full coverage information and service details.

CommunityNet II will provide high speed Internet access to a minimum of 71 communities in the province, and the surrounding areas.  All existing CommunityNet locations with a population over 100 and a school previously served by SCN’s satellite technology will benefit from this program.  In addition, the majority of communities with populations greater than 200 will also benefit from CommunityNet II.

Since 2000, the implementation of CommunityNet has been an unqualified success.  The province-wide initiative has provided high speed Internet access to public institutions in 366 communities, linking more than 834 educational facilities, 310 health facilities, 86 First Nations schools, 256 government offices and 162 libraries.  Upon completion of CommunityNet II, more than 86 per cent of the Saskatchewan population will have access to high speed Internet.

About SaskTel

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, offering competitive voice, data, dial-up and high speed Internet, entertainment and multimedia services, security, web hosting, text and messaging services, and cellular and wireless data services over its digital networks.  The Corporation also provides security monitoring services through SecurTek, directory services through DirectWest, in-room communications services to the healthcare sector through Hospitality Network, telecommunications consulting service through SaskTel International and an out-of-province sales and service channel in Alberta and British Columbia.  SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of 5,200 full-time, part-time and temporary 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