SaskTel History
2012
SaskTel is named one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc.
SaskTel is named one of Canada's Greenest Employers for the fourth consecutive year by Mediacorp Canada Inc.
2011
SaskTel reached an agreement with PFM Capital for the sale of Hospitality Network Canada Inc. assets. The sale price net of working capital adjustments is $36.6 million.
SecurTek Monitoring Solutions Inc. acquired 1,300 customer accounts from one Saskatchewan based security monitoring provider and three providers in Alberta for approximately $1.1 million.
SaskTel classified its wireless network as 4G province-wide.
The Canadian Numbering Administrator advised that Saskatchewan's 306 area code is expected to exhaust its supply of telephone numbers by May 2013. New 639 area code is to be implemented across the province in 2013 using the overlay method as directed by the CRTC.
SaskTel invested $199 Million in its Saskatchewan network and approximately $670 million in a seven-year Next Generation Broadband Access Program. The program is designed to bring Fiber to the Premises and upgrade SaskTel's Broadband network in the nine largest urban centres in the province – Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw, Weyburn, Estevan, Swift Current, Yorkton, North Battleford and Prince Albert by the year 2017.
SaskTel reports 2010 as its best operating year ever highlighted by a net income of $155.2 million and operating revenues of $1,112.4 million.
SaskTel announced launch of iPhone 4 in Saskatchewan.
SaskTel launched Max™ to 8 more locations across Saskatchewan – Canora, Esterhazy, Kamsack, Kindersley, Meadow Lake, Nipawin, Rosetown, Tisdale.
SaskTel announced plan to deploy Long Term Evolution (LTE), the next generation of wireless technology in 2012.
SaskTel launched first phase of its Fibre to the Premises network at University of Saskatchewan College Quarters.
SaskTel opened new stores complete with interactive displays in Regina, Saskatoon and Swift Current.
SaskTel and Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region teamed up to pack and ship 40 foot container with medical equipment and supplies, clothing, toys and other items to orphanages and health clinics in Arusha, Tanzania.
SaskTel was recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and one of Saskatchewan Top Companies by MediaCorp Canada Inc.
SaskTel was recognized as one of Saskatchewan's Top 100 companies by SaskBusiness Magazine.
SaskTel was recognized as one of Regina's Top 50 companies by Postmedia Network.
SaskTel was named one of Canada's 50 Greenest Employers
SaskTel was named one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers.
SaskTel Pioneers (Chapter 59) received 17 awards at the Telecom Pioneers 84th Annual General Meeting.
SaskTel was ranked the highest in overall customer satisfaction in the West region in the 2011 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Study conducted by J.D Power and Associates.
The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan honoured SaskTel with an Exceptional Engineering/Geoscience Project Award for the work involved in the 4G network.
2010
The Saskatoon and District TelCare Chapter was presented with an Award of Merit from the Saskatchewan Lung Association at their Annual General Meeting and Awards Luncheon.
SaskTel was named Cisco's Western Canadian Partner of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes SaskTel's performance and achievements as a Cisco channel partner in Canada in 2009.
SaskTel was named one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2010 by MediaCorp Canada Inc.
SaskTel was also recognized, for the eleventh consecutive year, as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.
SaskTel Pioneers (Chapter 59) received 20 awards at the TelecomPioneers 83nd Annual General Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.
The SaskTel We See You program was awarded the 2010 Global Best award for Education in Meeting Global Challenges by the International Partnership Network (IPN).
Canadian Blood Services congratulates SaskTel and its employees on the occasion of SaskTel’s 100th Blood Donor Clinic in Regina.
SaskTel employees, high school students and others gathered at a SaskTel warehouse to fill a 40-foot shipping container with medical supplies, personal hygiene products, tents, hand-made teddy bears and other donated items for Haiti earthquake relief. This is the eighth SaskTel-sponsored container sent to a developing nation since 2006.
SaskTel upgraded 210 High Speed Internet Basic communities from 1.5 Mbps to 5 Mbps.
The Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) awarded SecurTek CSAA Five Diamond Certification for providing superior monitoring service in the North American security industry. SecurTek is just the fifth company in Canada to achieve CSAA Five Diamond Certification.
26 First Nations communities in Saskatchewan will receive access to high-speed Internet and cellular telephone service over the next three years though a combined investment of more than $16.8 million by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and SaskTel.
SaskTel makes a capital investment of $22 million to expand the Next Generation Access Infrastructure program (NGAI) to 14 more communities over the next two years.
SaskTel invested $239 million in its network in 2010. Residential and business customers in communities across the province received improved and expanded SaskTel services as a result of this major capital investment.
SaskTel released its 2009 financial results, highlighted by a net income of $129.0 million and operating revenues of $1.15 billion, up $13.7 million from 2008.
2000s
2009
SaskTel was named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc. This was the tenth consecutive year SaskTel received the award.
SaskTel was recognized as one of Saskatchewan's Top 20 Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc.
SaskTel was also named one of Canada's Greenest Employers by MediaCorp Canada Inc.
SaskTel was recognized as one of Saskatchewan's Top 100 companies, ranked tenth, by Saskatchewan Business Magazine.
SaskTel Pioneers (Chapter 59) received 20 awards at the TelecomPioneers International Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.
SaskTel was presented with three Showcase Awards at the 2009 Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry Association (SMPIA) Awards Gala.
SaskTel invested $220 million in its network, including $42.4 million from the Government of Saskatchewan for year one of a three-year Rural Infrastructure Program.
SaskTel launched a new cell phone recycle program called Phones for a Fresh Start.
SaskTel entered into an agreement with Bell and TELUS to collectively build the largest and best
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network in Canada.
SaskTel Labs, in partnership with Saskatoon-based zu, developed the Rider App for compatible mobile devices. The Rider App is SaskTel Labs' first commercial product.
SaskTel released its 2008 financial results, highlighted by a net income of $121.4 million, and operating revenues of $1,137.8 million.
2008
SaskTel celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame honoured SaskTel with a Special Recognition Award for SaskTel's contribution to the advancement of telecommunications in Canada.
SaskTel was recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc.
SaskTel was recognized as one of Saskatchewan's Top 20 Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc.
SaskTel Pioneers (Chapter 59) received 11 awards at the TelecomPioneers International Conference in Austin, Texas including seven national awards and four international awards.
SaskTel received a Work and Family Balance award for its commitment to providing employees with opportunities to balance work and family life.
2007
Named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers by Mediacorp. Canada Inc. for the eighth consecutive year. SaskTel also recognized as one of Saskatchewan's Top 10 Employers.
SaskTel was recognized for an American Society for Training and Development BEST Award. The Awards recognize organizations that demonstrate enterprise-wide success or achievement as a result of employee learning.
SaskTel was the recipient of Cisco® Canada's Top Innovation Channel Partner Award for achieving the highest innovation ratings in 2006.
Recognized as a Top Saskatchewan company; ranked # 9 out of 50 companies.
SaskTel receives a second consecutive J.D Power award. The award recognized SaskTel's top ranking in customer satisfaction among companies that offer contracted wireless service.
SaskTel Pioneers were awarded the Chapter of Excellence award for overall volunteering excellence. SaskTel Pioneers won 15 awards in total at the Telecom Pioneers 80th Annual General Meeting.
SaskTel receives "Champion of Children" Award in recognition of SaskTel’s YOUTHnetwork efforts with the Saskatoon Preschool Foundation.
After releasing 2006 financial results, SaskTel exceeds $1 billion in revenues for the first time in its history.
SaskTel International has been awarded a 3-year management contract to manage all aspects of the operations, maintenance and expansion of Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited
SaskTel HP Signature Certified Partner status renewed through the HP Service Provider Certification Program. The program establishes SaskTel as an industry-leading hosting service provider operating in accordance with HP's stringent standards.
At the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council’s 11th Annual "Waste Minimization Awards" ceremony, SaskTel wins award in the 'Partnerships' category for the 'Computers for Schools' program.
TTCL (under SaskTel International) recognized for having the best pavilion at the Dar Es Salaam International Trade Fair, a major international promotional event organized by the Tanzania Board of External Trade.
2006
J.D. Power and Associates, a global market research firm, announced the results of its 2006 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Study, which revealed that SaskTel ranks the highest in customer satisfaction with contracted wireless service for a second consecutive year.
SaskTel is the first in North America to deliver HDTV over IP due to its Next Generation Access Infrastructure investment. SaskTel will make a capital investment of $136.5 million in NGAI in 2006 and over $310 million through 2010 bringing fiber optic cable closer to customers’ home significantly increasing bandwidth to the home.
Named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for the seventh year in a row.
In September 2006, SaskTel launched Say & Send messaging service, a service that enables SaskTel postpaid cellular customers to record voice messages and send them instantly to other SaskTel cellular customers. SaskTel is the first communications company in Canada to launch this type of service.
SaskTel received the 2006 AGEN (Aboriginal Government Employees Network) Industry Award for Aboriginal Participation. It is the latest recognition for the company's commitment to strengthening its relationships with Aboriginal communities by promoting business development, career opportunities and overall corporate commitment.
Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services recognized SaskTel as an important community partner through the presentation of a Community Partner Award.
SaskTel won the Interprovincial Association for Native Employment (IANE) Ivan Ahenakew Award for outstanding contributions to the employment of Aboriginal peoples. This award is given to any business, company, government department or Aboriginal organization that has shown results in the areas of Recruitment and Training of Aboriginal personnel for employment and training for the current year.
Nymity, an Ontario-based privacy research firm, recognized SaskTel with a national award for its corporate commitment to privacy and confidentiality, and named SaskTel as one of the top 10 Canadian companies with a superior privacy policy.
SaskTel announces through 2010 it will make a capital investment of $310 million in its Next Generation Access Infrastructure (NGAI) which will provide increased bandwidth to customers. SaskTel's total capital investment in its network for the year will be approximately $245 million, with $136.5 million dedicated to NGAI.
For the third straight year, the TelecomPioneers international volunteer organization awards the SaskTel Pioneers the President's Award for overall volunteering excellence. In all, the SaskTel Pioneers won 12 awards at the TelecomPioneers 79th Annual General Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
At the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction council’s 10th Annual Waste Minimization Awards ceremony, SaskTel wins an award for its directory recycling program. The Corporate Leadership award was also presented to SaskTel for its environment strategy.
SaskTel received the SEEDA (Saskatchewan Employment Equity and Diversity Association) EDDY award in recognition of its commitment to people with disabilities and recently formed SaskTel Employee Network on Disability (SEND) affinity group.
SaskTel was selected for Canadian Business magazine's first ever 'Best Workplaces in Canada' list for 2006. SaskTel ranked 28th on the list, which selects companies based on the criteria of responses to an employee survey and results from an external review of organizational culture.
SaskTel launches its new SaskTel 10-4 ™ Service to give customers greater calling flexibility than ever before. With this Push-To-Talk service, SaskTel cellular customers using a Sanyo 2300 cellular phone can use their phone much like a walkie-talkie.
SaskTel announces $1 million in support of the University of Saskatchewan and the Royal University Hospital Foundation.
SaskTel partnered with over 140 private Saskatchewan businesses in over 50 locations.
SaskTel spent more than $277 million on materials and services from Saskatchewan suppliers.
SaskTel donated $3,639, 608 to 1644 non-profit and charitable organizations.
SaskTel Pioneers contributed $383,553 and 85,000 hours of volunteer time.
SaskTel Telcare donated $221, 728, which is matched by 50% by SaskTel, for a total of $332, 591 to 150 Saskatchewan charities.
2005
SaskTel is chosen as the service provider to deliver high-speed internet service to customers in 35 northern Saskatchewan communities as part of the Northern Broadband Network (NBN) Initiative to build the Northern Broadband project, an $11.6 million endeavor co-funded by Industry Canada’s Broadband for Rural and Northern Development program, the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement, the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement and SaskTel. SaskTel commits approximately $6.1 million in capital and operating costs.
SaskTel launches Max Caller ID, displays the name and number of the incoming call on the TV during the first ring, in Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Swift Current, Estevan and Weyburn.
SaskTel enters into a multi-year Video-on-Demand distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI). SPTI will provide movies for SaskTel's Max Front Row™ Video-on-Demand service.
SaskTel Mobility announces that over the next two years it will further invest up to $28 million in its digital cellular network in Saskatchewan. This will bring SaskTel Mobility's total investment in digital cellular since 1998 to $120 million.
SaskTel announces it has entered a two-year Video-on-Demand (VOD) distribution agreement with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, which will provide current movies for viewing on SaskTel's Max Front Row™ Video-on-Demand service.
SaskTel invests more than $116 million to maintain and upgrade its provincial network.
The SaskTel Pioneers receive a large number of national and international awards at an international meeting of the Telecom Pioneers in San Antonio, Texas,
SaskTel announces it has entered into a non-exclusive Video-on-Demand (VOD) agreement with Paramount Pictures in Canada.
SaskTel one of first in Canada to introduce the third generation of wireless technology, Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO), which will bring wireless internet speeds up to par with landline high speed internet service.
SaskTel named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for sixth year in a row.
J. D. Power and Associates independent study of customer satisfaction rates for Canadian wireless industry names SaskTel first in Canada for customer service. SaskTel donates $3, 639,608 to 1,644 non-profit and charitable organizations.
2004
The TelCare program raised more than $400,000 in 2004.
SaskTel announced a $500,000 donation to the University of Regina's Building Dreams and Futures campaign. The money raised in the campaign will be used for the priority areas of the University of Regina --- student support; research support; Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport; the 2005 Canada Games; and emerging priorities.
SaskTel International announced a $6.2 million contract to complete a rural network infrastructure project in Mozambique. The project means SaskTel will upgrade and implement service to over 175,000 square kilometers of the African country.
SaskTel announced CommunityNet II, an initiative that will expand the SaskTel high speed internet network to an additional 71 communities in Saskatchewan. Once complete, 86 percent of Saskatchewan people will have access to high speed internet.
In October, SaskTel received the Aboriginal Government Employees Network (AGEN) Industry Award as an organization that builds and strengthens relationships with Aboriginal communities by promoting business development, career opportunities and overall corporate commitment.
For the fifth consecutive year, SaskTel has been named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, a recognition that acknowledges outstanding employers that lead their industries in attracting and retaining quality employees.
SaskTel, along with SaskEnergy, TransGas, Sask Pipelines and other pipeline companies, announced a partnership to provide a centralized toll free number for cable locates in Saskatchewan called "Sask 1st Call".
SaskTel International announced a new $650,000 infrastructure project for Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) and a $250,000 contract to conduct a comprehensive assessment of rural telecom infrastructure in Ukraine. SaskTel was also formally recognized by the Government of Canada for its ongoing work with telecommunications projects in developing countries.
SaskTel Mobility announced more enhancements to digital cell phones with a wider variety of graphics, ring tones and games that can be downloaded.
SaskTel Mobility announced expansion plans for northwest Saskatchewan with a $5.5 million investment designated for the Alberta/Saskatchewan border, north of Lloydminster.
SaskTel announced the investment of more than $121 million to maintain and upgrade its provincial network in 2004, allowing Saskatchewan residents and business owners to connect to the global marketplace.
SaskTel Mobility also announced a $12 million investment in its digital cellular network in Saskatchewan. This investment will enhance cellular coverage through improvements to existing coverage areas and the construction of new towers along the Saskatchewan oil patch in the southeast and northwest parts of the province, and along some highway corridors.
In February, SaskTel International was labeled "telecom provisioning king" by industry expert, Telecom Research Institute (TRI). According to recently released market analysis by TRI, SaskTel International is the industry leader in supplying Operational Support System (OSS) solutions to North American local exchange carriers, beating out many better-known industry players.
In February, Hewlett-Packard (HP) presented SaskTel with one of its highest levels of achievement. In becoming the first hosting service provider in Canada to achieve Signature Certified status through the HP Service Provider Certification Program. The program establishes SaskTel as an industry-recognized service provider.
In January, Business Watch International (BWI), a SaskTel investment, announced the signing of a $1.12 million (CDN) contract with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) for the design and development of a regional pawn transaction data sharing system.
SaskTel announced "CommunityNet II", an initiative that will expand high speed service to 71 more communities in the province. will continue to lead the way in Canada in deploying high speed Internet service to rural communities through the CommunityNet II program.
SaskTel International announced plans to open an office in the United Arab Emirates to develop contract project and professional services opportunities.
2003
For fourth straight year, SaskTel was recognized as one of "Canada's Top 100 Employers" by MediaCorp Canada Inc.
SaskTel makes the Globe & Mail's 2004 list of "The Fifty Best Employers in Canada."
Another way SaskTel supports the provincial economy is by maximizing the Saskatchewan content of goods and services purchased. In 2003, SaskTel spent $215 million on materials and services from over 4,100 Saskatchewan suppliers.
In 2003, SaskTel donated $1.7 million to over 1,500 organizations involved in health, educational, cultural, athletic, Aboriginal, and community service activities in the province. This includes corporate contributions and sponsorships, as well as event marketing and social marketing.
In April, SaskTel announced the network investment of $156 million to maintain and upgrade its provincial network and continue to allow residents and business owners to connect to the global marketplace.
SaskTel expanded its high speed internet network to 114 additional Saskatchewan communities, for a total of 237 communities. The corporation remains Saskatchewan's number one internet service provider with high speed internet access currently available to 75% of the population, and an overall market share of approximately 70%.
SaskTel's High Speed Light service extended to eight communities in 2003.
In May, SaskTel received recognition for the work involved with Max service by being the recipient of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (APEGS) for Exceptional Engineering /Geoscience Project. The APEGS regulates the practices of professional engineering and geoscience within the province and the award is granted to an individual or a team of professionals who demonstrate the highest professional performance related to delivering a significant project.
In September, SaskTel's Max™ Interactive Services celebrated its first anniversary. In its first year, more than 10,000 customers signed up for the service which allows customers to receive unlimited high speed internet service on their televisions and computers, as well as a full lineup of digital quality television channels, including local radio and television programming. During the same month, SaskTel also introduced Max Front Row(tm), a video-on-demand service that, unlike traditional pay-per-view service, means that customers do not have to watch movies through their set top boxes at pre-designated times. SaskTel was the first telecommunications company in North America to offer a video-on-demand service.
SaskTel announced a merger of Tappedinto.com , the subsidiary company which offers internet broadband streaming media and houses a technical operation centre in Regina with Streamlogics Corporation . The merger positions the combined entity as Canada's largest provider of webcasting services, while further broadening the company's footprint in the US market.
In 2003, SaskTel Mobility invested over $31 million in capital, with the majority used for province-wide deployment of 1xRTT, a next generation digital packet data network. Also, SaskTel Mobility continued to aggressively expand its digital network with the deployment of 63 new digital sites, 8 of them providing cellular coverage to areas with no previous cellular coverage.
SaskTel TelCare's program continued to make impressive donations to Saskatchewan community organizations: $15,000 in North Battleford, $4,000 in Estevan, $7,000 in Moose Jaw, $7,000 in Swift Current, $100,000 in Saskatoon and $200,000 in Regina for a total, in 2003, of $339,957.37
2002
SaskTel Mobility announced plans to invest up to $15 million in 2002 to bring digital cellular service to more Saskatchewan communities - a continuation of the largest expansion project ever for SaskTel Mobility.
SaskTel has become the first hosting service provider in Canada to achieve Hewlett-Packard Company's silver certification under the HP Service Provider Program (SPP) for its data centres.
SaskTel announced that it will be expanding its high speed internet service to 191 Saskatchewan communities over the next two years.
SaskTel announced a third internet option - SaskTel High Speed Light - for customers in Saskatchewan's major centres.
SaskTel was selected as one of three winners for the National Award for Learning Technologies in the Workplace. This award recognizes achievement in employee learning through effective use of learning technologies. SaskTel was also the only recipient of an Honourable Mention in the Global Best Awards, honouring achievement in employee and community investment programs that address the needs of children and foster readiness to learn.
The SaskTel Pioneers received three awards at the 2002 Canadian Pioneers Annual Conference: two People Who Care Awards for the Regina Lutheran Home Therapy Gardens and for the Swift Current Pioneer Lodge Gazebo; and one Education Excellence Award for the Regina Senior Citizens' Centre Computer Lab.
The Saskatchewan Labour Force Development Board awarded SaskTel the Training for Excellence Award - Career Enhancement, which recognizes organizations that invest in the career development of their employees.
SaskTel officially launched Max Interactive Services -- an innovative new service that allows customers to have unlimited high speed internet on their TV and computer as well as a full lineup of digital quality television channels. SaskTel was one of the first in Canada to offer IPTV.
SaskTel International announced the largest software sale in its sixteen-year history -- a contract was signed with TDS Telecom to provide the MARTENS® Service Provisioning and MAGIC (Modular Application Gateway Interface Connector) software products and related services.
SaskTel makes Canada's Top 100 Employers list for the third year in a row.
SaskTel International was awarded a contract by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to develop a telecommunications project in rural India.
2001
SaskTel announced another advanced data centre for Saskatchewan, continuing to grow and enhance its data and internet business. Based in Saskatoon, the data centre provides all customers with a wide range of reliable data storage and hosting services.
SaskTel was selected as the Conference Board of Canada's Top Employer of Youth in Saskatchewan for the second year in a row. This award is given to an organization that recognizes the value of enabling today's youth to participate in social and economic opportunities.
SaskTel Mobility announced the expansion of its digital cellular network, with the objective of completely overlaying the existing analog network within the next three years. SaskTel invested $24 million in this expansion, which builds the foundation for future high-speed wireless data applications.
SaskTel received the 2001 Saskatchewan Labour Force Development Board (SLFDB) Training for Excellence Award for the Promotion of Aboriginal Participation. This award recognizes the development of approaches to promoting Aboriginal employment in Saskatchewan.
SaskTel International celebrated 15 years of success in the global marketplace.
On July 31st, SaskTel announced the acquisition of RSL COM Canada (now known as Navigata) for approximately $17 million. The Vancouver-based company provides a full range of products including local service, long distance services, internet services, and high speed data services to customers located in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.
SaskTel announced that 27 more Saskatchewan communities will join SaskTel's high speed internet network before the end of the year.
SaskTel was recognized, for a second time, as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers.
For its work in bringing telephone service to Northwest Tanzania, SaskTel International (SI) received an award from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters for Improvement of Physical or Social Infrastructure.
2000
Expanded analog cellular service to more than 90% of the Saskatchewan population and invested more than $12 million to build Saskatchewan's digital Personal Communications Services (PCS) network.
Expanded the availability of SaskTel High Speed Internet service to more than 50% of the Saskatchewan population.
Became regulated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) effective June 30.
Presented an application to the CRTC for a Broadcasting Distribution Undertaking (BDU) license to offer Digital Interactive Video (DIV).
Received a number of honours, including:
- being recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers;
- being named as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Canada by the Report in Business Magazine; and
- receiving The Top Employers of Youth Award and the Royal Bank Partners in Education National Award from the Conference Board of Canada.
Awarded an industry Canada Multi-point Communications Systems (MCS) spectrum license for Saskatchewan.
1990s
1990
The virtual completion of the largest single project in SaskTel's history, the $225 million individual line service program. The project provided advanced urban-quality line to rural customers throughout the province. SaskTel was the first telecommunications company in Canada to complete its rural individual line service program, eliminating party lines throughout Saskatchewan in the early 1990’s.
Introduced a program to convert SaskTel's facilities fully to computer-based digital technology.
1991
SaskTel offered its customers custom calling services - call display, call trace, and call return - networked between Saskatchewan communities, the first company to do so in Canada.
1992
1992 was a landmark year for the telecommunications industry as the CRTC allowed long distance competition in Canada. The Province of Saskatchewan was successful in negotiating a five year moratorium with the Government of Canada to have SaskTel remain outside of the CRTC's regulation. This moratorium would allow SaskTel to examine a regulatory framework that is in the best interests of the people of Saskatchewan.
1993
The ownership of SaskTel was restructured to create both a holding corporation and a telco-operating company.
SaskTel announced a new five-year strategic plan, clearly stating SaskTel's vision of the future.
1994
The exhaustion of the 160 existing area codes ushered in a new era of dialing for Saskatchewan residents, as the '306' area code now had to be dialed for all in-province long distance calls.
SaskTel International ended a four year commitment to the largest construction project of the 20th century, the English Channel Tunnel project. SaskTel International performed the design audit, detailed system and management audits, and provided installation and commissioning for the Channel Tunnel's telecommunications and control systems.
1995
1995 was one of the busiest years in SaskTel history. The customer base exceeded 450,000, compared to 3,000 in 1908 when SaskTel was formed, and covered 98% of Saskatchewan homes.
Record profits of $191.8 million were recorded in 1995 due, in no small part, to the sale of LCL Cable Communications Ltd.
The internet officially came to SaskTel in a big way. Saskatchewan had access to the internet through SaskNet, a service provided by the two Saskatchewan universities. SaskTel brought universality of service and moderation of prices to the residents of Saskatchewan including being the only internet provider in Canada to waive long distance dial-up charges for rural customers.
SaskTel affirmed its commitment to safety by continuing to provide 9-1-1 coverage to more than half of the province and announcing plans to increase the service to be province-wide by the year 2000.
1996
SaskTel became the first telecommunications company in Canada to deliver commercial high speed internet using ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) technology.
The year long distance competition arrived in Saskatchewan.
SaskTel experienced the first full scale strike in its history.
SaskTel Mobility signed up its 100,000th customer, leading to its success in achieving the second highest rate of market penetration among Mobility Canada member companies. SaskTel Mobility expanded its coverage to stretch 105,000 square kilometres beyond any competitor's coverage area.
The SaskTel Call Centre opened in the new Customer Care Centre in Regina - a state-of-the-art, fully-blended, and multi-functional telemarketing operation.
SaskTel signed a contract with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) to create the first call centre in Canada owned and operated by First Nations people.
1997
SaskTel celebrated its 50th Anniversary as a Crown Corporation.
Marked SaskTel's first full year of long distance competition, which ended with a 92% market share, despite aggressive moves by other corporations to attract long distance customers.
SaskTel introduced the Core Network Evolution Plan (CNEP), a $194 million undertaking spread over six years, to develop our transmission and switching systems to a state of readiness for the future's high-bandwidth telecommunications.
The First Nations Service Improvement Program was launched, bringing improved service to 58 First Nations and to over 1000 new customers.
SaskTel increased investment in DirectWest Publishers from 50% to 100%.
1998
SaskTel celebrated its 90th Anniversary with a year of winning numbers - revenue, market share, and debt ratio.
The 90 years of commitment to Saskatchewan was also marked with a one-time donation of $2 million to hospital foundations in the province, allowing them to purchase two new MRI units, thus providing improved access to advanced diagnostic equipment within the province.
SaskTel Mobility was the first to offer Wireless Internet in Saskatchewan, an application of the new CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) SaskTel brought to the province earlier in the year.
SaskTel Mobility introduced the latest generation of cellular service, digital Personal Communications Services (PCS) to Regina and Saskatoon.
The Exchange Area Boundary Program was introduced in order to reduce the number of telephone exchanges in Saskatchewan. 81,000 customers would benefit from this exchange consolidation.
1999
SaskTel invested over $8.2 million in their network in order to bring high-speed internet access to new areas of the province.
A new company entered the SaskTel family with the creation of SecurTek, a remote monitoring service that offers residents and businesses a state-of-the-art security monitoring system for their property.
SaskTel Mobility made a commitment to invest $12.3 million to expand the digital PCS network, making SaskTel's digital coverage the largest in Saskatchewan.
SaskTel rigorously prepared for regulation by the CRTC which was expected to bring changes in the operating environment and impacts on future pricing, products, service development, and financial performance.
SaskTel rolled out a new strategic plan to take the corporation into the 21st century.
1980s
1980
Computerized directory assistance (DA) was put into service in major Saskatchewan cities. Now, instead of looking in large printed directories for a requested number, DA operators use keyboards and read listings displayed on view screens.
Late in 1980, SaskTel began construction of the world's longest commercial fibre optic network. This new technology converts all forms of messages to symbols of light and then transmits the messages on hair-thins strands of ultra-pure glass. Each strand of fibre optic cable can carry 672 telephone conversations (one way), or one video channel, or 45 megabits of data per second.
1981
In 1981, there were about 670 telephones for every 1,000 people in Saskatchewan - a remarkable achievement given the topography of the province.
Direct Dialing Overseas (DDO) allows customers to direct dial their own overseas calls. This service was made available to a number of larger centres in Saskatchewan.
1982
The first link of the fibre optic Broadband Network (BBN), between Regina and Yorkton, was inaugurated in January.
1984
The completion of the world's longest commercial fibre optic system, 3,268 kilometres, initially connected 52 of Saskatchewan's largest communities. SaskTel was the first in the world in 1984 in completing what was then the longest commercial fiber optic network. SaskTel continues to be a world leader in fiber optics - no more evident than SaskTel's key role in the largest construction project of the 20th century - helping install and test the communications system in the Channel Tunnel linking England and France.
1985
The 5-year, rural individual line service program was started. The program upgraded some 70,000 multi-party line customers to individual line service.
1986
SaskTel International was formed to market the corporation's expertise in advanced telecommunications technologies, particularly fibre optic systems, to clients around the world.
1987
A digital switching modernization program is announced which will result in Saskatchewan having an all-digital network in place by early 1996.
1989
SaskTel International invested in Leicester Communications Limited (LCL), a cable/telecommunications company in the United Kingdom.
This was the year that SaskTel brought cellular service to the Province.
1970s
SaskTel became an acknowledged world leader in several areas during the 1970s and 1980s. Saskatchewan became the first province in Canada to have all toll lines buried.
Multi-line party telephone facilities were upgraded to private line service. A province-wide relay service for hearing impaired persons was also implemented.
1974
By mid-September, 1974, all of the telephones in the province were dial operated.
SaskTel installed its first computer-controlled electronic switching equipment for local service in Saskatoon. The equipment not only increased the speed and capacity of the telephone system, but also informed its human attendant what technical problems were developing via a typewriter.
1975
There were 400,000 telephones in service; 42,342,000 long distance calls.
1976
The corporation began a seven-year program which allowed rural telephone companies - some 700 in all - to be voluntarily assimilated into the SaskTel system. The program was completed ahead of schedule in 1982.
As common carrier for telecommunications signals in Saskatchewan, SaskTel began the construction of a CATV cable distribution system in Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, and the Battlefords. Within two years, cable was in place to carry the signal from the cable programs to every subscriber in those four cities. In 1982, SaskTel purchased the CATV distribution system in Prince Albert.
1977
This year saw the milestone installation of the 500,000th telephone in the SaskTel system. There were 52,000,000 long distance calls.
Saskatchewan became the first province in Canada to have all toll lines buried when the last pole line, which ran between Melfort and Star City, was replaced.
1978
Saskatoon became the first city in Saskatchewan to offer 0+. For the first time customers were able to dial calls that had formerly required an operator. An operator need only come on the line to record pertinent information or complete collect calls and person-to-person calls, allowing faster, more efficient service.
1979
SaskTel installs the first digital switching system in the province, in the northern community of La Ronge.
1960s
The 1960s were a busy time for SaskTel. Direct distance dialing was introduced, eliminating the need for operators to handle all long distance calls; 7,000 previously unserved rural customers received telephone service for the first time; and push button or "touchtone" phones were available for the first time.
1964
Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) by the customer was first introduced to the province with the addition of the Regina and Saskatoon long distance centres to the continent-wide direct dialing network. Direct Distance Dialing service allows users to dial their own station-to-station long distance calls to almost anywhere on the North American continent.
1966
SaskTel undertook a program to provide service to some 6,000 farms not served by rural telephone companies.
1968
A second microwave system, referred to as the Prairie Microwave Network, was completed and put into service.
Push button telephone service, commonly referred to as Touch Tone, made its appearance in Saskatchewan. Advancements in central office equipment installations made this ultra modern subscriber service possible.
1969
An act of legislature was passed amending the Saskatchewan Government Telephones Act and the corporation became officially known as Saskatchewan Telecommunications. The trade name SaskTel had already been in use for several years.
There were 300,000 telephones in service with 18,272,000 long distance calls.
1950s
In 1957, SaskTel completed its portion of the first trans-Canada microwave radio relay system. Live network television programs could now be transmitted coast-to-coast helping create the tradition behind broadcasts like "Hockey Night in Canada.
1953
There were 100,000 SaskTel telephones in service, with 7,492,701 long distance calls.
1955
Local service was first introduced to the province's most northerly community, Uranium City, on November 30.
1957
SaskTel completed its portion of the Trans Canada Microwave System. Beaming signals from tower to tower, the system carries video, voice and data communications.
1958
A microwave system for voice communications only was installed between Regina and Weyburn, Regina and Estevan, and Regina and Yorkton.
The first automatic crossbar local switching system in Canada adapted for the switching of long distance calls was installed in Saskatoon. This system made it possible for long distance operators to connect subscribers' calls with ease, directly to the desired destination, without the assistance of operators at intermediate points along the way.
1940s
1947
On June 1, the telephone system, created by an Act of the Legislature in 1908, became a provincial Crown Corporation, officially known then as Saskatchewan Government Telephones. The move was made in order to separate the commercial functions from the regulatory functions of the Department of Telephones, a department to deal with rural telephone matters.
There were 57,000 SaskTel phones in service, with 3,741,996 long distance calls placed in Saskatchewan.
1930s
Only one exchange, Yorkton, was converted to dial.
The drought and dust of the "dirty thirties", followed by the outbreak of the Second World War, curtailed the expansion of long distance facilities for a period of about twenty years
1920s
SaskTel continued to upgrade its services throughout the 1920s and 1930s. It was one of the founding members of the national TransCanada Telephone System (TCTS), which changed its name to Telecom Canada and eventually Stentor.
North Battleford, Indian Head and Melfort were converted to dial operation.
1923
SaskTel provided lines for the first church service broadcast in Canada. Later, in the same year, long distance lines were used for the first time in Saskatchewan to carry a music festival program from Prince Albert to Regina for radio broadcasting.
Vacuum tubes had found their way into SaskTel's signal repeater equipment, strengthening and clarifying weak voice currents.
1928
SaskTel installed the first Canadian-manufactured carrier system. This system, placed into service in October 1928, between Regina and Saskatoon, made it possible for four conversations to be transmitted simultaneously over the same pair of wires.
Before the 1920s
1882
Less than a decade after Bell's invention of the telephone, voices were being sent over a wire in Regina.
1887
The first telephone exchange in Saskatchewan was opened in Peter Lamont's bookstore on South Railway near Hamilton Street in Regina.
Emily Lander was the first telephone operator in Saskatchewan.
1905
There were about 2,000 telephones in operation in the larger cities of Saskatchewan.
1906
The Bell Telephone Company extended its long distance facilities from Manitoba to connect Winnipeg with Regina to provide long distance service.
1907
Saskatoon became one of the first Canadian cities to provide automatic exchange service.
1908
SaskTel, the major telephone system in the province, had its origin in the Department of Railways, Telegraphs and Telephones, which was established by the Telephone Acts , assented to on June 12, 1908.
1909
SaskTel built its first telephone exchanges at Hanley and Melville.
On October 1, SaskTel expanded its system by purchasing the Bell Telephone Company, the Saskatchewan Telephone Company, and the Wapella-Harris Telephone Company. The newly acquired facilities consisted of 18 telephone exchanges, 53 long distance offices, and 492 pole miles of long distance lines. Among the telephone exchanges purchased were those in Estevan, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, and Regina.
The number of SaskTel subscribers was 5,710 (3,412 local, 2,118 rural, and 180 municipal telephones).
1911
SaskTel expanded with the purchases of Saltcoats District Telephone Company, the North-Western Telephone Company (Saskatoon), and the Swift Current System.
By the end of 1911, nearly fifteen thousand local subscribers were connected to the [telephone] System's exchanges, in addition to which there were some 9,000 subscribers in the province's rural and independent companies.
1912
On June 30, Regina's telephone office was completely destroyed by the famous Regina Cyclone. Long distance service had been restored within 24 hours; local service was restored on a limited basis within six weeks of the cyclone.
By the close of 1912, a long distance network serving all major centres in the province, had taken shape. Some 3,170 miles of long distance pole lines were carrying over 11,850 miles of wire.
On December 1, 1912, Yorkton was added to the provincial [telephone] system with the purchase of the North West Electric Company.
1914
An automatic dial system, housed in the telephone building at 12th Ave. and Lorne Street, was installed to serve Regina's residents. The automatic dial system served the city from January 1914 until November 1955, when it was replaced by the seven-digit numbering system.
1915
Prince Albert was converted to an automatic dial system.
1918
Swift Current was converted to an automatic dial system.
1919
Both Moose Jaw and Qu'Appelle were converted to automatic dial systems.
The Qu'Appelle exchange was the first in North America to operate as a Community Dial Office (CDO). A CDO is an automatic call switching office designed to serve a small community area with dial service.
