By Alice McFarlane

Saskatchewan farm group launches task force on rural internet and cell service

Sep 22, 2020 | 1:09 PM

Reliable internet and cell phone service is needed for rural communities to support business, education, health services, and overall quality of life.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) said rural residents are losing out on opportunities because of a lack of proper service. That’s why APAS has established the Rural Connectivity Task Force.

The organization has been working on the issue since 2019, when they surveyed rural residents. It found many people were dissatisfied with the service they received.

APAS Vice President and Tisdale area farmer Ian Boxall said it will look at what the issues are and determine a process to make improvements.

“We hope to bring light to the fact that internet and cell phone service in rural areas is poor and we need to figure out how to improve that for the people who live in those areas,” Boxall told farmnewsNOW.

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Boxall said the issues have only worsened since the outbreak of the pandemic in March. The majority of respondents to the most recent APAS survey indicated their internet and cell service was worse.

“When COVD-19 hit, and everyone started working from home is when we really felt it. It really brought it to light,” he said.

Boxall said farmers in particular are missing out because they don’t have adequate services.

“There is equipment that a machinery dealer could phone in and diagnose problems, but they can’t because they don’t have the service,” Boxall said. “You then have a $200 to $600 service call for something they could have done over the phone. We need this improved.”

The task force will release its preliminary findings by Dec. 1 with the final report in early 2021.

APAS is encouraging rural residents to complete the Rural Connectivity Survey.

The task force will be chaired by Jeremy Welter from the RM of Mariposa and will include Boxall, Bill Prybylski from the RM of Garry, Bev Pirio from the RM of Laurier, and Paige Stewart the co-chair of the APAS Young Agricultural Producers committee.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF