SaskTel
Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel) is a provincial Crown Corporation operating under the authority of The Saskatchewan Telecommunications Act.
SaskTel provides telecommunications services to 13 cities, 535 smaller communities and surrounding rural areas, including 49,000 farms. The corporation has over 425,000 business and residential customers, and has a work force of approximately 4000 employees throughout the province. SaskTel's head office is located in [Regina, Saskatchewan].
SaskTel is the primary asset and wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company, the Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation, which manages assets of approximately $1.2 billion.
While SaskTel oversees the corporation's core telecommunications business, the following business units have diversified into other services, products, and markets:
- SaskTel Mobility provides cellular, wireless data, and wireless internet services.
- SecurTek provides home and business security systems and monitoring.
- SaskTel International exports network integration, network management, and interactive services outside of Canada.
- Hospitality Network Canada Inc. (HNCI) is a provider of hospital patient TV and Telephone rental systems and services.
- Direct West publishes print and online directories and provides Web Hosting and Website Design services.
SaskTel delivers its communication services over a digital, fibre optic-based network.
Services
- Local Telephone Service
- Internet and Interactive Services
- Digital TV (SaskTel Max)
- Cellular Phonees
- Wireless Data Services
- Wireless Internet
- Telephone and Equipment Rental
- Calling Features and Cards
- Voice Messaging
- Long Distance Plans
- Conferencing Services
- Home and Business Security
- Voice Over IP (VoIP)
- International Consulting, Provisioning, and Software Solutions
- FleetNet 800
- Web Hosting and Website Design
- Print and Online Directories
History
SaskTel, known at one time as Saskatchewan Government Telephones, had its origin in the Department of Railways, Telegraphs and Telephones, which was established on June 12, 1908.
On October 1, 1909, 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. In 1911, SaskTel expanded further with the purchases of Saltcoats District Telephone Company, the North-Western Telephone Company (Saskatoon), and the Swift Current System. On December 1, 1912, Yorkton was added to the provincial telephone system with the purchase of the North West Electric Company.
SaskTel firsts
- SaskTel was the first telecommunications company in Canada to complete its rural individual line service program, eliminating party lines throughout Saskatchewan in 1990;
- SaskTel was at the forefront in Canada to offer universal Internet access to both urban and rural residents in 1995, and the first in Canada to offer it with no long distance charges;
- SaskTel was the first in North America to offer high speed internet service in 1996 using Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology - a service available in 237 Saskatchewan cities and towns by the end of 2003;
- SaskTel is 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 in 1995;
- In 1991 SaskTel customers were offered a first for Canada in custom calling services - Call Display, Call Trace and Call Return;
- SaskTel was the first in Canada to offer a long distance savings plan in 1994 - Real PlusT;
- SaskTel Mobility has the most extensive analog and digital cellular coverage areas in Saskatchewan;
Controversies
SaskTel has been targeted by some as being an overbearing monopoly. Some claim that SaskTel tends to stifle smaller businesses looking to grow and/or invest in industries that are directly or closely related to SaskTel. It has also been argued that SaskTel has moved into services and product areas that compete directly against existing private business, such as Digital TV and Internet Services.
Concern has also been raised by opposition political parties about some of SaskTel's "risky" out-of-province business ventures, such as Navigata Communications in Vancouver, which has yet to turn a profit.
The idea of privatizing all of, or parts of SaskTel has been a hot-button issue in past provincial elections, and will likely continue to be an issue in the future.
On the other side of the table, some argue that due to the rural and remote nature of much of Saskatchewan, it would be difficult for multiple service providers to be profitable.