A SaskTel project to bolster internet speeds in northern Saskatchewan is expected to be complete by the end of June, the company announced Monday.
Service improvments resulting from the upgrade will roll out throughout 2016 and into 2017.
The $30-million project includes approximately $10 million in upgrades to reinforce the radio backhaul network in Creighton and Denare Beach, and to upgrade the microwave radio system between Sandy Bay and Pelican Narrows.
As well, the three-year project includes a fibre optics line from La Ronge to Points North.
The company said in a news release the line will serve as backbone infrastructure to significantly increase the bandwidth available throughout the region.
By the fall of 2016, Creighton will see increased internet download speeds, expected to improve from up to 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second) to up to 5 Mbps. As well, SaskTel expects network congestion issues to be resolved by the upgrades.
Denare Beach will see increased capacity and a resolution to network congestion by the end of 2016.
Sandy Bay, Pelican Narrows, and Deschambault Lake will see similar results in the first quarter of 2017.
“We understand the need for advanced and reliable communications solutions,” said Ron Styles, SaskTel president and CEO. “SaskTel is continually investigating new technologies that could enhance our services in northern Saskatchewan and all across the province.”
Sluggish internet speeds have been a concern for residents and a recurring topic at Creighton town council.
