SASKATOON — SaskTel is moving closer to its 2027 target of expanding 5G wireless cellular coverage across Saskatchewan, with a major focus on improving connectivity in rural and northern communities.
SaskTel president and CEO Charlene Gavel announced Wednesday at the SaskTel Centre parking lot that people living in rural areas and First Nations communities will now have access to faster connectivity similar to urban centres.
“Where you live should never limit your access to opportunity. Whether you’re in a major city, a small town or driving along the highways, you deserve access to the fastest and most reliable connectivity possible,” Gavel said.
Gavel said more than 160 new 5G sites have now been activated, calling the expansion a major milestone for both SaskTel and the province.
That brings SaskTel’s total number of 5G sites to about 900 across Saskatchewan, with more than half serving rural communities and remote highways.
SaskTel began the project in 2023 and has already invested more than $500 million into the network expansion. The Crown corporation estimates about 90 per cent of Saskatchewan residents now have access to 5G service in their communities.
The total project cost is expected to reach approximately $660 million by the end of 2027.
Gavel said the expansion is about more than faster cellphone speeds, describing 5G technology as a critical foundation for future infrastructure, innovation and public services across the province.
“This technology is more than just faster speeds. It’s about connecting communities, driving innovation and creating new opportunities for people and businesses across this province. 4G was really the era of apps, streaming and downloading. 5G will be so much more than that,” she said.
The upgraded network can deliver download speeds of up to 1.2 gigabits per second, significantly increasing data capacity and reliability for remote work, online education, health-care delivery and emerging technologies such as smart systems and autonomous vehicles.
The latest round of completed towers includes communities across rural, northern and First Nations regions — areas Saskatchewan officials say are often underserved in other parts of Canada.
Saskatchewan Crown Investments Corporation minister responsible for SaskTel Jeremy Harrison said Saskatchewan’s Crown corporation model allows the province to invest in areas private telecom providers may not prioritize.
“Being able to point to the connectivity that exists in rural communities and northern areas of the province is something that just would not exist in many other parts of the country,” Harrison said.
He added improved connectivity remains important for industries such as agriculture, business development and remote health-care services.
