SASKATOON — SaskTel launched its final 10 macro cell towers to complete its multimillion-dollar project Wireless Saskatchewan initiative, a project done in co-operation with the Government of Saskatchewan. The project will improve wireless service to the rural areas and previously underserved parts of the province.
The 10 new cell towers are built near the communities in Aberdeen (south), Shaunavon (southeast), and the eastern side composed of Candle Lake, Carrot River, East Fairwell, Kuroki, Makwa, Marean Lake, Mount Pleasant and Prince Albert.
Minister Responsible for SaskTel Don Morgan, SaskTel president and chief executive officer Doug Burnett, Legislative Assembly Speaker Randy Weekes and Legislative Secretary David Buckingham, and Borden Mayor Jamie Brandrick attended Friday morning’s media conference at one of the towers located about five kilometres south of Borden.
Burnett said they are committed in providing the best service to connect the people of Saskatchewan.
With Wireless Saskatchewan, we were able to make tangible and meaningful progress in addressing gaps in wireless coverage in underserved rural areas.”
“Looking to the future, the new towers we've constructed as part of this program will help us bring 5G deeper into rural Saskatchewan, ensuring that rural residents and businesses will also benefit from the same technological advancements that many in urban areas take for granted."
Burnett added the project is a huge accomplishment for them as they further improved their wireless coverage in Saskatchewan and boosted their tag of being the province’s leading information and communications technology provider.
“That's how we're firmly committed to being the best and connecting the people of Saskatchewan to the world. And through wireless Saskatchewan, we continue to fulfil our commitment to make real and meaningful progress in addressing the gaps in cellular coverage in underserved rural areas.”
Morgan said the whole project of building new cell towers cost $107 million.
“After years of planning and intensive work, we're pleased to announce that the initiative is now complete, through wireless Saskatchewan has invested over $107 million to construct nearly 200 new cell towers across the province.”
“The tower you see behind us is the Borden macro tower, one of the many towers constructed as part of the wireless Saskatchewan program. The tower has a height of 355 feet, and it went into service last March [2021].”
Morgan added Wireless Saskatchewan was an ambitious project that began in 2017 where it aims to improve connectivity and provide high-speed internet services to the province’s rural areas.
“It has largely greatly improved cellular coverage in this area along Highway 16. Thanks to towers like this, thousands of rural families, business owners, professors have better access to vital wireless communication services than they ever have before.”
“Although our government is extremely pleased with the success of the program, we recognize how critical wireless and high-speed internet services have become in the modern world. I assure you that we will keep working with SaskTel to continue improving connectivity throughout the province.”
The Wireless Saskatchewan initiative helped fund the construction of small cell sites to improve wireless coverage and high-speed internet services in more than 100 rural communities in the province. SaskTel has also installed 89 macro cell towers, like the one located near the village of Borden, and expanded high-speed fusion network by 34 towers and improved data capacity on 11 cell towers in resort areas.
Burnett said the new towers will also play a very instrumental role in the future.
“As each of these new structures will allow us to expand 5G deeper into rural Saskatchewan than would otherwise be possible, ensuring that residents and businesses in rural areas and communities will also benefit from the same technological advancements that many urban centres have taken for granted.”
“While improving rural broadband is, is a high priority for us so you may know that we've just announced $100 million program to take fibre to over 40 communities in Saskatchewan. In addition to that we'll be taking 5G out to the entire province over the course. We hope to launch 5G in Regina and Saskatoon this year, and then over the course of the next three to five years to the rest of the province."
Brandrick said the people in their village have nothing but positive comments on the project done by SaskTel.
“Everybody's happy. From the day that it was constructed, seeing it go up until it went live. Business owners are happy.”
“Prior to that, the business owners had to strategically place their cell phones on ledges near windows so they can receive calls and texts, now they can sit at their desks and receive the calls and texts so it's nothing but positive, everybody is really happy.”
He said the project has been a long time coming.
“It started with a petition that was delivered in person to [Speaker] Weekes at the Legislative building in 2017 followed by meetings with Minister Morgan and then Legislative Secretary Hugh Nerlien, Honourable Weekes, and [now LA] Buckingham to find a location that would best be the best place to build a tower in Borden.”
“When the announcement was made [that] Borden was going to be receiving a cell phone tower, the citizens of Borden and I were really excited. This new tower is a vital part of the technology infrastructure in the area. There are no more drop calls in the downtown area of Borden and business owners can stay connected with customers.”
Brandrick said the cell tower will have the people of Borden more connected by getting vital information out whether through phone calls, texts, or social media.
“The safety of Borden has been enhanced by the new cell phone towers by allowing firefighters who live close to downtown to receive their page calls, so that they can serve the citizens Borden and the area. When they are in the valley by the North Saskatchewan River, there is better communication between the firefighters, and the dispatch in Prince Albert.”
“If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is how vital it is to be connected to the rest of the world. Bordenites, we're able to work from home, and complete schooling during the pandemic. They were able to stay connected to friends and family while we were in lockdown. If we didn't have the cell phone tower, some citizens will not be able to stay connected to friends and family. The next thing Borden looks forward to is fibre optics to help Borden connect even faster to the rest of the world.
