SASKTEL EXTENDS 3G+ WIRELESS COVERAGE TO 31 MORE LOCATIONS

SaskTel has expanded its 3G+ wireless network to 31 more locations across the province of Saskatchewan.

"Construction of the 3G+ network is a significant development for SaskTel and its customers in Saskatchewan," Minister responsible for SaskTel Bill Boyd said. "When the network is complete in 2011 it will be available to 98 per cent of the population."

"Our 3G+ wireless network delivers increased bandwidth, greater international roaming and a wider selection of wireless devices," SaskTel President and CEO Ron Styles, said. "3G+ is the new industry standard and will enable SaskTel to make a smooth transition to future generations of wireless technology."

The 31 tower locations, along with 3G+ coverage details, are:

• Alameda: provides coverage to the town of Alameda.
• Alida: provides coverage in the oil and gas area northeast of Oxbow.
• Arcola: provides coverage to the town of Arcola and along Highway 13 east of Stoughton.
• Assiniboia: provides coverage to the town of Assiniboia and along Highway 2 and Highway 13.
• Bengough: provides coverage to the town of Bengough and along Highway 34.
• Blue Bell: provides coverage to the area north of Loon Lake including Highway 26.
• Canora: provides coverage to the town of Canora.
• Charette Lake: provides coverage in the oil and gas area north of Macklin including coverage along Highway 17.
• Coderre: provides coverage to the area north of Gravelbourg and east of Hodgeville including Highway 58 and Highway 363.
• Cupar: provides coverage to the town of Cupar and along Highway 22 between Southey and Dysart.
• Elbow: provides coverage to the town of Elbow and the surrounding area including Douglas Provincial Park and along Highway 19.
• Elrose and Elrose Rural: provides coverage to the town of Elrose and the surrounding area including Highway 4 between Kyle and Rosetown.
• Gravelbourg: provides coverage to the town of Gravelbourg and along Highway 43 and Highway 58.
• Hafford: provides coverage to the town of Hafford and the surrounding area including Highway 40 west of Blaine Lake.
• Hoosier: provides coverage to the oil and gas area northeast of Alsask along the Alberta border.
• Kamsack: provides coverage to the town of Kamsack and the surrounding area including Highway 5 and Highway 8.
• Kenosee Lake: provides coverage to Moose Mountain Provincial Park.
• Kincaid: provides coverage to the town of Kincaid and the surrounding area including the junction of Highway 13 and Highway 19.
• Kipling: provides coverage to the town of Kipling and the surrounding area including Highway 48.
• Leask: provides coverage to the town of Leask and the surrounding area including Highway 40 northeast of Blaine Lake.
• McCord: provides coverage to the area south of McCord.
• Minton: provides coverage to the area southwest of Minton.
• Mossbank: provides coverage to the town of Mossbank and the surrounding area including Highway 2 north of Assiniboia.
• Preeceville and Preeceville Rural: provides coverage to the town of Preeceville and the surrounding area including Highways 9, 47 and 49.
• Prince Albert Victoria Hospital: provides improved coverage to the western portion of Prince Albert.
• Punnichy: provides coverage to the town of Punnichy and the surrounding area including Highway 15 east of Raymore.
• Silver Lake: provides coverage to the oil and gas area north of Maidstone.
• Wawota: provides coverage to the town of Wawota and the surrounding area.
• White Bear (Kyle): provides coverage to the oil and gas area west of Kyle.

The 3G+ network provides increased bandwidth with download speeds approximately four times faster than existing speeds (up to 21 megabits per second). It is also compatible with approximately 80 per cent of all networks across the world and international roaming customers will be able to use their SaskTel 3G+ device on 3G+ networks anywhere.

The current SaskTel 3G+ device line-up includes:

• BlackBerry Torch 9800
• BlackBerry Bold 9700
• BlackBerry Curve 9300
• BlackBerry Pearl 9100
• Nokia 7230 
• Nokia 6350 
• Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant (ANDROID^TM) 
• Samsung Gravity Touch
• Samsung Gravity 3
• Novatel MC998D (Mobile Internet Stick)

SaskTel plans to support the existing CDMA digital network for the foreseeable future to ensure that all wireless customers continue to enjoy a full selection of wireless services that best suit their needs. Customers can now choose from a wide range of devices for both the existing CDMA network and the new 3G+ network.

About SaskTel

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, with $1.15 billion in annual revenue and more than 1.4 million customer connections including more than 550,000 wireless accesses, 543,000 wireline network accesses, 225,000 Internet accesses and 77,000 Max^TM (TV) subscribers. SaskTel offers a wide range of communications products and services including competitive voice, data, Internet, entertainment, national security, messaging, cellular, wireless data and directory services. In addition, SaskTel International offers software solutions and project consulting in countries around the world. In 2009, SaskTel contributed more than $651 million to the Saskatchewan economy through dollars spent with Saskatchewan-based suppliers and sponsorships to non-profit organizations. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 4,800 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