Sasktel announced in 2016 they were working to invest $300 million in capital spending in the 2016-17 fiscal year. Part of those improvements were announced this week, as SaskTel outlined upgrades to 146 cellular towers across Saskatchewan. In a press release, the Crown phone company said they are now covering the southwest and southern parts of the province with LTE cellular coverage, and 92 per cent of the province has the same coverage.

Dustin Duncan, the Minister Responsible for SaskTel, as well as the MLA for Weyburn-Big Muddy, said the enhanced cellular coverage will provide rural customers with a valuable tool, while Ron Styles, president and CEO of SaskTel, stated the company understood rural customers want access to the highest speeds available, and SaskTel would work to deliver that for them.

The LTE expansion is part of the company’s commitment for capital expenditures in the province, and helps to fulfil their commitment to spend $1.4 billion through 2021.

Communities in the southeast which will see the increase include: Alameda, Antler, Arcola, Benson, Bienfait, Carnduff, Ceylon, Francis, Goodwater, Kipling, Lake Alma, Lampman, Manor, Maryfield, Midale, Milestone, Minton, Montmartre, Odessa, Ogema, Oxbow, Pangman, Radville, Redvers, Roche Percee, Storthoaks, Vibank, Wawota, White Bear, Wilcox and Yellow Grass.