Internet change | Deadline set for March 2014
About 8,000 rural internet customers will continue to receive high-speed service from SaskTel — for now.
Industry Canada last week announced it would give the crown corporation more time to reconfigure its network.
The wireless broadband service through SaskTel was to be discontinued by the end of this year, and most affected customers were pointed to a satellite service provided by Xplornet.
Rural customers complained, saying the cost was too high and the service not good enough for their needs. Some feared they would be left with no service at all.
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Don McMorris, minister responsible for SaskTel, said the government heard the concerns loud and clear and asked the federal government for more time.
An extension was granted until March 31, 2014.
“I think it would be safe to say that SaskTel thought it would be an easier transition than what it has been,” he said.
“Closer to the deadline, we realized that transition wasn’t as smooth and that there was certainly much more angst in rural Saskatchewan.”
He said SaskTel wants to supply the best possible service to the entire province, including rural areas.
The changes became necessary when Industry Canada announced in 2006 it would reallocate part of the broadband spectrum on which some service is provided.
SaskTel has the opportunity to buy some of the spectrum back through an auction, but McMorris said the technology it requires is now outdated.
This is the second extension for SaskTel. It received one in March 2011.
He said SaskTel will work with affected individuals to make sure everyone is satisfied.
The Xplornet service has been substantially improved since it was first introduced, he added.
SaskTel president Ron Styles said the corporation is committed to rural Saskatchewan.
“We will ensure that no one is left without service and all customers will receive notification of their service options throughout the extension period,” he said in a news release.
