The Minister Responsible for SaskTel has told the crown corporation not to go ahead with its decision to charge internet customers for their SaskTel email.

“Following the decision from SaskTel earlier this week to implement a monthly fee for email users, I have spoken with Saskatchewan residents and heard their concerns,” Minister Don Morgan said. “As a result, I have instructed SaskTel to keep sasktel.net email addresses free of charge for SaskTel subscribers.”

“This change will positively affect approximately 88,000 Saskatchewan residents,” he added. “The Government of Saskatchewan and SaskTel will continue to work hard to deliver the best and most affordable possible service for SaskTel users.”

Morgan’s statement comes after SaskTel announced it would start charging internet customers $1.95 for using Sask Tel email addresses.

SaskTel said it issued a stop-sell of the service a year ago because of the many other available free alternatives, including Gmail and Hotmail.

It also said that the company sometimes needs to raise prices to continue to offer reliable, quality service.