COMMUNITYNET II EXPANDS TO 71 MORE COMMUNITIES

Saskatchewan will continue to lead the way in Canada in deploying high speed Internet service to rural communities through CommunityNet II.

"Thanks to the CommunityNet II, we are extremely pleased to be providing rural residents in Saskatchewan with access to a valuable educational, communications and entertainment service sooner than many urban centres in Canada," Minister responsible for SaskTel Maynard Sonntag said. "Upon completion of this program more than 86 per cent of the Saskatchewan population will have access to high speed Internet."

"Saskatchewan rural residents already enjoy a level of high speed Internet access superior to that of any other jurisdiction in Canada," Minister responsible for Information Technology Andrew Thomson added. "Today is yet another example of how we are taking advantage of new technologies to further expand this great service to rural Saskatchewan and build a better life for Saskatchewan citizens."

CommunityNet II will provide high speed Internet access to a minimum of 71 communities in the province, and their 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.

Residents within an approximate radius of 30 km of an Internet-provisioned tower, dependent on terrain, may be able to access the service. Upon completion of this approximate $34 million initiative, SaskTel will have invested approximately $173 million to bring a high quality, price-competitive high speed internet service to Saskatchewan residents and businesses. The work is expected to be completed within the next three years.

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 834 educational facilities, 310 health facilities, 86 First Nations schools, 256 government offices and 162 libraries. With the introduction of CommunityNet II, more residents and business owners in communities across Saskatchewan will have access to high speed Internet service sooner than many larger centres in Canada.

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For More Information, Contact:

Michelle Englot SaskTel Regina Phone: (306) 777-4476

Richard Murray Information Technology Office Regina Phone: (306) 787-9586