The macro cell tower near the Village of Borden is one of 89 additions in areas throughout the province as part of the Wireless Saskatchewan initiative. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

New towers

SaskTel’s Wireless Saskatchewan initiative complete

Sep 10, 2021 | 3:39 PM

After several years of work across Saskatchewan, one of the province’s biggest internet and call services initiatives is now coming to fruition.

Dignitaries and media were on hand just outside of the Village of Borden to mark the completion of the Wireless Saskatchewan , which brought 4G service to previously underserved parts of the province.

Originally announced in 2017, the program is a multi-phase venture to improve wireless connectivity and high speed internet services to rural parts of the province. The more than $107-million investment from SaskTel included constructing small cell sites in 105 communities, installing 89 107-metre macro towers by highways and busy areas, improving wireless capacity at 11 resort communities and expanding the High Speed Fusion Internet network to 34 towers.

Mayor of Borden Jamie Brandrick said the addition of the macro tower, which stands at 350 feet tall, has been well received by the community, sharing anecdotes of how residents would adjust to poor reception during the day.

“Prior to the new tower, business owners had to strategically place their cell phones on ledges in their windows so they could receive texts,” Brandrick said.

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(Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

One of the prime benefits to Borden has been enhanced safety. Brandrick said the tower allows firefighters to receive page calls so they can serve citizens and will make transmission better for RCMP services.

This will impact the lives of all residents caught in emergency situations.

“When they are in the valley by the North Saskatchewan River, there’s better communication between the firefighters and the dispatch in Prince Albert,” he said.

Moving forward, Brandrick added that getting fibre optics installed locally is the next services priority for the municipality.

“To help Borden connect even faster to the rest of the world,” he said. “If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how vital being connected to the rest of the world is.”

Saskatoon/Westview MLA David Buckingham, Biggar/Sask Valley MLA Randy Weekes, SaskTel President Doug Burnett, Minister responsible for SaskTel Don Morgan and Borden Mayor Jamie Brandrick. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Minister responsible for SaskTel Don Morgan said the Wireless Saskatchewan initiative has greatly expanded the wireless network’s reach in the province and improved service for thousands of rural families, businesses and producers. New towers were also placed in areas like Candle Lake, Makwa and southeast of Shaunavon.

Despite the reaction Morgan said they’ve received thus far, including commendation from the CRTC compared to the rest of the country, he noted there’s still work ahead.

“We recognize how critical wireless and high speed services have become in the modern world,” Morgan said. “We’ll continue to work with SaskTel to further improve connectivity throughout the province.”

SaskTel President and CEO Doug Burnett said they are focused on rural broadband. The telecommunications company recently announced investing 100 million in getting fibre optics to more than 40 groups in Saskatchewan. There will also be large investment in 5G installations in rural areas.

“We hope to launch in Regina and Saskatoon this year and then over the course of the next three to five years, we’d launch in the rest of the province,” Burnett said.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW