(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Solution Needed

Why coverage is so bad in Prince Albert and how SaskTel plans to fix it

Dec 4, 2023 | 5:00 PM

An earlier version said SaskTel would be adding six new towers in the area. The company is actually adding eight: two brand new and six replacements.

Improving coverage in and around Prince Albert continues to be a top priority for SaskTel.

That’s according to Greg Jacobs, an external communications manager for the telecommunications company, who spoke to paNOW about how they plan to fix the service issues in the area.

Many residents, most of whom live in the east part of the city, have been experiencing issues texting, calling, and in some cases accessing the internet.

Jacobs said the current cell towers in the area aren’t capable of keeping up with demand.

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“They’re running, basically, to the end of their lives because we can’t add more radios and more capacity.”

SaskTel plans to add eight new towers in the area. Two would be brand new, while the other six would replace current ones.

The locations for the new towers have been identified with SaskTel working on getting land use agreements in place. After that, they’re required to allow the public a chance to provide their feedback before work can start.

Jacobs explained they’re aiming to have these towers functional in 12 to 18 months.

“That is barring unforeseen significant challenges.”

The timeline for the three replacement towers is currently between 18 to 24 months.

Jacobs added the current towers are operating as expected but they’re just not tall enough for the area. The taller a tower, the more coverage it can provide.

“If you go to Regina or Saskatoon, you’ll see that we have significantly taller towers in those centres and that’s because that’s what’s needed to provide service to a densely populated urban centres,” he said.

The reason SaskTel wasn’t able to make them any bigger was due to a city bylaw. Jacobs noted the two sides have discussed the issue multiple times and are on the same page moving forward.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow