As part of the Rural Infrastructure Program, SaskTel High Speed Internet customers in eight more communities are receiving higher download speeds after a recent upgrade. SaskTel has increased the maximum download speed in Big River, Canwood, Debden, Prud'Homme, Qu'Appelle, Rocanville, Shellbrook and Stockholm from 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps) to five Mbps. Customers began receiving the higher speeds automatically and High Speed Internet charges will not increase as a result of this upgrade.
This upgrade is part of a larger initiative to upgrade more than 220 High Speed Internet Basic communities from 1.5 Mbps to 5 Mbps by the end of 2011. A total of 209 communities have been upgraded since March 2010. SaskTel will make announcements regarding additional upgrade locations as they are completed.
"Saskatchewan residents continue to benefit from SaskTel's ongoing investment in its advanced network," Minister responsible for SaskTel Bill Boyd said. "This upgrade will deliver an enhanced internet experience to SaskTel customers in communities across the province."
"SaskTel is pleased to provide improved High Speed Internet access to rural communities across the province at no additional charge to our customers," SaskTel President and CEO Ron Styles said.
"SaskTel high speed internet service is available to approximately 99 per cent of the Saskatchewan population."
