Internet service expansion in Saskatchewan (file photo/CJME Staff)

By Keaton Brown

High Speed Expansion

SaskTel expanding high-speed internet services in Saskatchewan

Jul 26, 2019 | 2:00 PM

Dial-up internet and farmer vision television service could soon be a thing of the past.

SaskTel announced yesterday communities from the Village of Paradise Hill across to the Town of Preeceville are among the next wave to receive interNET Extended 25 and 50 as well as the maxTV Stream service.

“SaskTel’s continued commitment to delivering innovative technologies and world class services is improving our residents and businesses ability to connect to the wider world and helping to enhance the quality of life in all corners of our province,” Don Morgan, Minister Responsible for SaskTel, said.

The new internet service will be able to provide these communities with download speeds up to 25 and 50 Mbps and packages that range from 5-50 Mbps. SaskTel said interNET Extended 25 and 50 are the fastest rural internet packages they have ever offered.

St. Walburg, Edam, Meota and Blaine Lake among communities included in expansion (submitted photo/SaskTel)

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“Being Saskatchewan’s homegrown communications leader is a major point of pride for SaskTel and it’s this pride that helps drive us to bring the best products and services to residents throughout our province,” Doug Burnett, SaskTel president and CEO, said. “From communities with a few dozen residents to our province’s largest centres, we’re working hard to bring incredibly fast internet speeds and the next-generation in entertainment services to as many households as possible.”

The expansion also brings with it SaskTel’s MaxTV Stream which combines traditional television with advanced technology and the latest in over-the-top (OTT) content from Netflix and YouTube.

SaskTel`s MaxTV Stream offers these latest innovative features: Restart TV, which allows users to restart live TV up to 72 hours in the past; maxTV App, where users can watch live TV and VOD programming on their smart phones or tablets; built in Netflix, YouTube and more streaming services; and equipment to control the TV with Bluetooth and voice command technology.

The expansion is a direct result of SaskTel`s commitment to invest $321 million of capital in Saskatchewan in 2019/20 and over $1.4 billion through 2018-2023. $39.1 million of which will be used for rural wireless and internet enhancements as part of the Government of Saskatchewan’s four-phase initiative to provide rural communities with enhanced access to reliable cellular and high speed internet services.

“Our government understands that the residents of this province require access to communications services that enable them to thrive in today’s constantly evolving world,” Morgan said. “Technology has changed the way we connect and the way we do business. SaskTel understands the importance of capital investment to maintain and improve on the services that it delivers across the province.”

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Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow