View source for SaskTel

{{short description|Canadian telecommunications company}}
{{Infobox company|<!-- [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Companies]] template -->
| name = Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation
| former_name = Saskatchewan Government Telephones
| trade_name = SaskTel
| logo = SaskTel logo.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| type = [[State-owned enterprise|Crown corporation]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1908|6|12}} (as Department of Railways, Telegraphs and Telephones)<br />{{start date and age|1947|6|1}} (as Saskatchewan Government Telephones)
| location = {{nowrap|2121 Saskatchewan Drive}}<br />[[Regina, Saskatchewan]]<br />S4P 3Y2
| area_served = {{Unbulleted list|[[Saskatchewan]]|[[Canada]]}}
| key_people = [[Jeremy Harrison]], Minister Responsible for SaskTel<br />Charlene Gavel, President and CEO<br />Grant Kook, Chair of the Board of Directors
| industry = [[Telecommunications]]
| revenue = {{increase}} {{CAD|1.3 billion|link=yes}}
| owner = [[Government of Saskatchewan]]
| num_employees = 3200
| subsid = DirectWest<br />SaskTel International<br />SecurTek
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.sasktel.com/}}
| module = {{infobox network service provider|child=yes|asn=803}}
}}

'''Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation''', [[operating as]] '''SaskTel''', is a [[Telecommunications in Canada|Canadian]] [[Crown corporations of Canada|crown-owned]] [[telecommunications]] firm based in the province of [[Saskatchewan]]. Owned by the provincial government, it provides wireline and wireless communications services, including [[Plain old telephone service|landline telephone]], [[Mobile network operator|mobile networks]], [[broadband]] internet (including copper [[Digital subscriber line|DSL]], [[fibre to the home]], and [[wireless broadband]]), [[IPTV]], and security services. Through a subsidiary, '''SaskTel International''', the company has also worked on telecom infrastructure projects in countries such as [[Argentina]] and the [[Bahamas]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://panow.com/article/646443/sasktel-beaches-employees-bahamas|title=SaskTel beaches employees in the Bahamas|date=2017-02-09|work=paNOW|access-date=2018-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/careers-leadership/steve-sousa-39-brings-saskatchewan-telecom-to-the-world/article4262565/|title=Steve Sousa, 39: brings Saskatchewan telecom to the world|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|access-date=2018-05-26}}</ref> as well as being the lead implementation company for the communication and control systems of the [[Channel Tunnel]] between England and France.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sasktelinternational.com/company/experience/english-channel-tunnel-communications-project|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103190755/http://www.sasktelinternational.com/company/experience/english-channel-tunnel-communications-project|archive-date=2016-11-03|title=English Channel Tunnel Communications Project {{!}} SaskTel International}}</ref>

As of 2022, SaskTel serves around 1.4 million customers, and has an annual revenue of around {{CAD|1.3 billion|link=yes}}. <ref>{{Cite web |title=SaskTel Reports Net Income of $104.4 million {{!}} SaskTel |url=https://www.sasktel.com/about-us/news/2022/sasktel-reports-net-income-2022 |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=www.sasktel.com}}</ref><ref name="global-sasktelinvest2019"/>

== History ==
SaskTel was established pursuant to the Telephone Acts as the '''Department of Railways, Telegraphs and Telephones''' on June 12, 1908, and through acquisitions of other independent telephone companies (including the [[Bell Canada|Bell Telephone Company of Canada]]'s Saskatchewan operations in 1909) quickly became the dominant government-run telephone operator in Saskatchewan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sasktel.com/about-us/company-info/vision-mission-and-values/history-site/history#beforethe1920|title=About Us &#124; SaskTel History &#124; SaskTel}}</ref>

On May 9, 1947, premier [[Tommy Douglas]] announced that ownership and operational duties for the province's telephone system would be taken over by the newly-established crown corporation '''Saskatchewan Government Telephones''', effective June 1. The change was intended to separate the administrative duties for the telephone system from the government's regulatory duties.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Telephones Become Crown Corporation|date=May 9, 1947|work=[[Regina Leader-Post]]|publication-date=May 9, 1947}}</ref>

In 1999, SaskTel launched a new [[Yorkton]]-based subsidiary known as SecurTek, which deals in security and monitoring services.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=51106|title=SASKTEL CONTINUES DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY WITH SECURTEK|website=Publications Centre|publisher=Government of Saskatchewan|access-date=2018-04-05}}</ref>

In 2002, the company introduced a [[Digital television|digital]], [[IPTV]]-based television service known as Max Entertainment Services, as one of the first such offerings in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/calgary-herald/20061210/283094179628966|title=Telus dials up TV service|website=Calgary Herald via Press Reader|access-date=2018-04-04}}</ref><ref name="gandm-iptv">{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gadgets-and-gear/what-is-iptv-heres-your-primer/article622727/|title=What is IPTV? Here's your primer|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref>

In 2009, SaskTel entered into network sharing agreements with [[Bell Canada]] and [[Telus Communications|Telus]], while SaskTel has a separate agreement with [[Rogers Wireless|Rogers]] to contribute to a national [[UMTS]]/[[HSPA+]] cellular network.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cartt.ca/article/sasktel-agrees-network-sharing-telus-bell|title=SaskTel agrees to network sharing with Telus, Bell|work=Cartt.ca|access-date=2018-04-05}}</ref> In July 2010, SaskTel announced an employee trial launch of its {{CAD|170 million|link=yes}} HSPA+ network. The services became publicly available August 16 in metropolitan areas such as [[North Battleford]], [[Moose Jaw]], [[Prince Albert, Saskatchewan|Prince Albert]], [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]], [[Saskatoon]], [[Swift Current]], [[Yorkton]], and [[Weyburn]]. It launched with a range of [[BlackBerry]] and [[Nokia]] handsets, and the promise of [[iPhone]] carriage in the future.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2010/07/06/sasktel-to-go-live-with-3g-network-august-16-2010/|title=SaskTel to go live with 3G+ network August 16, 2010|date=2010-07-06|work=MobileSyrup|access-date=2018-04-04|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sasktel-date-for-iphone-service-uncertain-1.968839|title=SaskTel date for iPhone service uncertain|work=[[CBC News]]|access-date=2018-04-04}}</ref>

In August 2012, SaskTel announced that it would construct a [[fibre to the home]] (FTTH) network branded as Infinet (stylized infiNET), beginning in portions of Regina and Saskatoon, and other cities over the next seven years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://panow.com/article/237669/sasktel-upgrading-services-through-fibre-optics|title=Sasktel upgrading services through fibre optics|date=2012-08-10|work=paNOW|publisher=Jim Pattison Group|access-date=2018-04-04|language=en}}</ref> In January 2013, SaskTel announced the launch of an [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]] network in the Regina and Saskatoon areas, with plans to extend coverage into other major areas of the province by 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sasktel-launches-4g-lte-network-1.1136186|title=SaskTel launches 4G LTE network|date=2013-01-30|work=[[CKCK-DT|CTV News Regina]]|access-date=2018-04-04}}</ref> As of 2013, the company had recorded nearly 616,000 wireless subscribers and over 100,000 Max TV subscribers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sasktel-produces-81-1-million-dividend-1.2604644|title=SaskTel produces $81.1 million dividend|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-04-04}}</ref>

In July 2015, SaskTel acquired six AWS-1 wireless spectrum licenses from [[Freedom Mobile]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sasktel-makes-deal-with-wind-mobile-to-increase-bandwidth-speeds-1.3175534|title=SaskTel makes deal with Wind Mobile to increase bandwidth, speeds|work=CBC News|date=2015-07-31|access-date=2022-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hardy|first=Ian|title=SaskTel acquires AWS-1 spectrum from WIND Mobile|url=http://mobilesyrup.com/2015/07/31/sasktel-acquires-aws-1-spectrum-from-wind-mobile/|website=MobileSyrup|date=31 July 2015|access-date=1 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Transfer of Spectrum Licences Held by WIND Mobility Corp. (WIND) to Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel)|url=http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf11074.html|via=Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada|publisher=Industry Canada|date=31 July 2015|access-date=1 August 2015}}</ref>

=== Bill 40 ===
In 2016, [[Brad Wall]]'s [[Saskatchewan Party]] government proposed Bill 40, which allowed for the partial [[privatization]] of up to 50% of a provincial crown corporation without seeking public approval.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-party-passes-bill-to-sell-off-crowns-1.4087682|title=Saskatchewan government passes Bill 40 allowing partial sale of Crowns|work=CBC News|date=2017-04-26|access-date=2018-04-04}}</ref> The bill prompted concerns that stakes in SaskTel could be sold to third-parties; the company conducted an independent assessment, factoring in the then-proposed acquisition of former crown telco [[Bell MTS|MTS]] in Manitoba to [[Bell Canada]]. The review found that SaskTel's net income risked "[being] unable to support the level of dividends that have been returned to the province in recent years", citing the possibility of new or enhanced competition among other companies.<ref name=":0"/>

Wall promised that any sale of SaskTel shares would be subject to a public referendum; in August 2016, he stated that "if we get an offer and we think it generates a significant amount of money for the province, maybe enough to eliminate our [$4.1 billion] operating debt, if it takes care of the jobs question in Regina, if it provides better coverage, we are at least going to take it to the people and we'll need someone to lead that process."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/bidding-4-1-billion-premier-wall-price-on-sasktel-1.3734443|title=Start the bidding at $4.1B, Premier Brad Wall indirectly puts pricetag on SaskTel|last=Hunter|first=Adam|work=[[CBC News]]|date=2016-08-24|access-date=2022-03-02}}</ref><ref name=":1"/>

In May 2017, following the passing of Bill 40, it was reported that representatives of [[BCE Inc.]], [[Rogers Communications]], and [[Telus Communications|Telus]] had been lobbying and in discussions with [[Dustin Duncan]], minister responsible for SaskTel. The company stated that the meetings were regarding ongoing wholesale agreements between the companies, and were unrelated to privatization.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://leaderpost.com/news/politics/bell-rogers-and-telus-meeting-with-sasktel-as-privatization-bill-passes|title=Bell, Rogers and Telus meeting with SaskTel as privatization bill passes|date=2017-05-03|work=[[Regina Leader-Post]]|access-date=2018-04-04|language=en-US}}</ref>

In August 2017, Wall announced that he would repeal Bill 40.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-party-to-repeal-crown-privatization-law|title=Saskatchewan Party to repeal Crown privatization law|date=2017-10-24|work=[[Regina Leader-Post]]|access-date=2018-04-04|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2017-2020 ===
[[File:Cadillac, Saskatchewan (3635869721).jpg|thumb|right|SaskTel facility in the village of [[Cadillac, Saskatchewan|Cadillac]]]]
SaskTel shut down its [[CDMA]] network in July 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/saskatchewan/sasktel-shutdown-of-cdma-network-to-affect-47000-phone-users|title=SaskTel shutdown of CDMA network to affect 47,000 phone users|date=2016-07-06|work=[[The StarPhoenix]]|access-date=2018-04-05|language=en-US}}</ref> In August 2017, SaskTel announced that it would build FTTH in [[Rosthern, Saskatchewan]] (which lies between Saskatoon and Prince Albert). The deployment was part of a pilot program for deploying the service in portions of Saskatchewan's rural regions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/sasktel-high-speed-internet-rural-saskatchewan-1.4233990|title=SaskTel high-speed internet reaches Rosthern, offers hope for rural Sask. connectivity|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-04-04|language=en-US}}</ref> It also launched a new suite of [[smart home]] and [[home security]] products in conjunction with SecurTek and [[Alarm.com]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2017/08/21/sasktel-smarthome-working-title/|title=SaskTel launches smartHOME service for users looking to automate their home lives|date=2017-08-21|work=MobileSyrup|access-date=2018-04-05|language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2018, SaskTel's directory division DirectWest expanded into [[out-of-home advertising]] through the purchase of digital billboards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cartt.ca/article/directwest-enters-saskatchewan%E2%80%99s-digital-out-home-ad-market|title=Directwest enters Saskatchewan's digital out of home ad market|work=Cartt.ca|access-date=2018-05-26|language=en}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

In May 2018, SaskTel announced a capital investment of $301 million into improvements to its services over the next year, with $61.2 million going towards FTTH deployment for 22,000 additional customers, $26.5 million on improvements to its wireless network, and $109.1 million into customer service.<ref name="global-sasktelinvest2019">{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4207202/sasktel-capital-investment-wireless-network-infrastructure/|title=SaskTel to invest $301M into network and infrastructure|work=[[Global News]]|access-date=2018-05-26}}</ref>

In August 2018, SaskTel launched MaxTV Stream, a new skinny-bundle IPTV service, utilizing the Ericsson MediaFirst platform running as an app on [[Android TV]] boxes. On launch the service was available in all SaskTel FTTH markets, as well as 11 rural communities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cjme.com/2018/08/22/sasktel-introduces-maxtv-stream-all-in-one-service/|title=SaskTel introduces maxTV Stream all-in-one service|last=Noyes|first=Jayda|work=[[CJME|News Talk 980 CJME]]|publisher=Rawlco Communications|access-date=2018-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cartt.ca/article/sasktel-launches-new-iptv-platform-maxtv-stream|title=SaskTel launches new IPTV platform maxTV Stream|date=August 22, 2018|website=Cartt.ca|access-date=August 22, 2018}}</ref>

On February 21, 2019, SaskTel announced that all customers who have internet access will be migrated to electronic billing, in a process that began March 27.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/sasktel-moving-customers-to-paperless-billing-starting-next-month|title=SaskTel moving customers to paperless billing starting next month|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=2019-02-21|access-date=2019-03-07}}</ref>

==== Unifor strike ====
On October 4, 2019, 5,000 [[Unifor]] workers representing seven Saskatchewan crown corporations, including SaskTel and two subsidiaries, went on strike. SaskTel stated that this strike would not affect service for its customers (including online billing and account management via the mySaskTel website), but that first-party SaskTel retail stores will be closed for the duration, and that customers would be unable to activate new home services or transfer them to new residences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/union-confirms-crown-employees-will-strike-friday-1.4622599|title=SaskTel workers, other Crowns will strike on Friday|website=[[CKCK-DT|CTV News Regina]]|date=3 October 2019|access-date=2019-10-08}}</ref> After initially picketing outside of the [[Saskatchewan Party]]'s convention, workers picketed outside of SaskTel's call centre in Regina on October 8—preventing managers from entering.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/strike-action-crown-agencies-water-security-regina-1.5308476|title='This might be a long one': 5,000 Unifor workers at Sask. Crowns on strike|date=October 4, 2019|work=CBC News|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref>

The same day, Unifor stated its intent to return to a [[work-to-rule]] [[industrial action|action]] on October 8 without a new deal. However, SaskTel announced that it would not allow the unionized workers to return, as "unknown and intermittent walkouts" could compromise the quality of service (Unifor stated that it would only provide 24 hours' notice of any future walkout). In solidarity, the remaining employees in the strike (representing crown corporations such as [[SaskPower]]) chose to not return to work either.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/crown-workers-to-remain-on-strike-1.4628706|title=Striking crown corporation workers will remain off the job in solidarity with SaskTel workers|work=[[CKCK-DT|CTV News Regina]]|date=7 October 2019|access-date=2019-10-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/striking-crown-workers-close-sasktel-call-centre-in-regina-block-managers-from-entering|title=SaskTel says striking workers can't temporarily return to work Tuesday|last1=White-Crummey|first1=Arthur|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=2019-10-07|language=en|access-date=2019-10-08|last2=MacPherson|first2=Alex}}</ref>

In October 2019, SaskTel and Unifor reached a tentative agreement, pending ratification, and work by employees resumed on October 22, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sasktel.com/about-us/news/2019/sasktel-unifor-reach-tentative-agreement|title = SaskTel and Unifor Reach Tentative Agreement &#124; SaskTel}}</ref> On November 15, 2019, Unifor announced that the agreement was ratified by SaskTel employees.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uniforsaskcouncil.ca/ |title=Unifor Sask Council |website=www.uniforsaskcouncil.ca |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116203419/https://www.uniforsaskcouncil.ca/ |archive-date=16 November 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2020s ===
On June 24, 2020, SaskTel announced that it will not use [[Huawei]] equipment for its [[5G]] services, citing a desire to remain uniform with its roaming partners of Bell and Telus (which both chose [[Ericsson]] as supplier).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Saskatchewan shuns Huawei for SaskTel's 5G network|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7104790/saskatchewan-huawei-sasktels-5g-network/|access-date=2020-06-25|work=Global News|language=en}}</ref> On March 15, 2021, SaskTel announced that it would begin a preliminary deployment of 5G service in Regina and Saskatoon by the end of 2021, with [[Samsung Electronics]] serving as the sole supplier of equipment for the network.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SaskTel's 5G network will be powered by Samsung, will go live first in Regina and Saskatoon|url=https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/sasktels-5g-network-will-be-powered-by-samsung-will-go-live-first-in-regina-and-saskatoon|access-date=2021-03-24|work=[[Regina Leader-Post]]|language=en-CA}}</ref> To support the deployment, Samsung Electronics later announced that it will open a regional office in Regina.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-01|title=Samsung establishing regional office in Regina to support 5G rollout|url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/samsung-establishing-regional-office-in-regina-to-support-5g-rollout-1.5689298|access-date=2021-12-09|website=CTV News Regina|language=en}}</ref>

In December 2021, SaskTel announced a new mobile brand known as Lüm Mobile, a self-service prepaid [[Mobile virtual network operator|MVNO]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-08|title=SaskTel launches new low-cost mobile carrier|url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sasktel-launches-new-low-cost-mobile-carrier-1.5699560|access-date=2021-12-09|website=CTV News Regina|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-08|title=SaskTel launches Lüm Mobile|url=https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/sasktel-launches-lum-mobile/467731|access-date=2021-12-09|website=IT World Canada|language=en-US}}</ref>

On January 17, 2023, SaskTel announced that it would begin charging an additional fee of $1.95 per-month for its sasktel.net email services effective April 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-18 |title=Get ready to pay a subscription fee for your SaskTel email address |url=https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/get-ready-to-pay-a-subscription-fee-for-your-sasktel-email-address-1.6236595 |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=CTV News Saskatoon |language=en}}</ref> However, following criticism of the decision by customers and government officials, minister responsible for SaskTel [[Don Morgan]] "instructed" the company to backpedal on the plans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saskatchewan minister instructs SaskTel to cut upcoming email charges {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9425923/sasktel-to-stop-upcoming-email-charges/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>

In June 2024, SaskTel announced that at least half of its existing network footprint had been upgraded to 5G service. September 2024 saw 5G expansions focused on 50 rural and Indigenous communities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-07 |title=SaskTel reaches halfway mark of its 5G network rollout |url=https://www.sasktoday.ca/central/outlook/sasktel-reaches-halfway-mark-of-its-5g-network-rollout-9030949 |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=SaskToday.ca |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-19 |title=SaskTel expands 5G network in rural and Indigenous areas |url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sasktel-expands-5g-network-in-rural-and-indigenous-areas-1.7045269 |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=CTV News Regina |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2024, SaskTel filed with the [[Federal Court of Appeal]] to challenge a [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|CRTC]] ruling requiring that it share access to its [[Last mile (telecommunications)|last mile]] fibre-optic networks with competitors on a wholesale basis. SaskTel cited that the CRTC decision failed to factor in the company's market position and mandates in comparison to other incumbent ISPs the decision primarily targeted, and that allowing third-party access to its network would marginalize its investments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hathout |first=Ahmad |date=2024-09-13 |title=SaskTel alleges CRTC made wholesale decision based on contradictory cabinet direction |url=https://cartt.ca/sasktel-alleges-crtc-made-wholesale-decision-based-on-contradictory-cabinet-direction/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Cartt.ca |language=en-CA}}</ref>

== Marketing ==
SaskTel is a sponsorship partner for the [[Canadian Football League]]'s [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]], and was named as a "founding partner" of the new [[Mosaic Stadium]] in Regina upon its opening in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/roughriders-announce-4-major-mosaic-stadium-partners-1.3086510|title=Roughriders announce 4 major Mosaic Stadium partners|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-04-06|language=en-US}}</ref>  In August 2014, SaskTel acquired the [[naming rights]] to Saskatoon's Credit Union Centre, and renamed it [[SaskTel Centre]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/credit-union-centre-to-be-re-named-sasktel-centre-1.2743777|title=Credit Union Centre to be re-named SaskTel Centre|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-04-05|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1522325/credit-union-centre-becoming-sasktel-centre/|title=Credit Union Centre becoming SaskTel Centre|work=Global News|access-date=2018-04-05|language=en}}</ref> It is also title sponsor of the [[Saskatchewan Jazz Festival]] in Saskatoon.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3551164/31st-annual-saskatchewan-jazz-festival/|title=Opening day has arrived for 31st annual Saskatchewan Jazz Festival|work=Global News|access-date=2018-04-06|language=en}}</ref>

From 2007 until 2016, SaskTel's marketing prominently featured [[3D Animation|3D-animated]] characters such as [[Little Red Riding Hood|Little Red]], the [[Big Bad Wolf|Wolf]], and Gainer the [[goldfish]] (named after the Saskatchewan Roughriders' [[Gainer the Gopher|mascot]]). In December 2016, the company introduced a new branding campaign, "Today is The Day".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/whats-with-the-new-sasktel-ad-campaign|title=Fuller: What's with the new SaskTel ad campaign?|date=2016-12-09|work=The StarPhoenix|access-date=2018-04-06|language=en-US}}</ref>

The company re-launched its anti-[[cyberbullying]] awareness campaign, ''I Am Stronger'', as ''Be Kind Online'' in February 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4996602/sasktel-relaunches-i-am-stronger-cyberbullying-prevention-program-as-be-kind-online/|title=SaskTel relaunches 'I Am Stronger' cyberbullying prevention program as 'Be Kind Online'|date=2019-02-25|work=Global News|access-date=2019-02-27}}</ref>

== Networks ==
=== Radio frequency summary ===
{{further|UMTS frequency bands|LTE frequency bands|5G NR frequency bands}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Frequencies used on the SaskTel Network<ref name="Sasktel bands">{{cite web |title=Supported frequencies on the SaskTel wireless network |url=https://support.sasktel.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25812/~/supported-frequencies-on-the-sasktel-wireless-network |website=Sasktel |access-date=2022-06-21}}</ref>
|-
! Frequency range !! Band number !! Protocol !! Class !! Status !! Note(s)
|-
| '''1900'''&nbsp;MHz PCS || 2 || rowspan="2" | UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+ || rowspan="2" | 3G || rowspan="2" | Active ||
|-
| '''850'''&nbsp;MHz CLR || 5 ||
|-
| '''1900'''&nbsp;MHz PCS || 2/25 || rowspan="6" | LTE/LTE-A || rowspan="6" | 4G || rowspan="8" | Active / Being deployed ||
|-
| '''1700'''&nbsp;MHz AWS || 4/66 ||
|-
| '''850'''&nbsp;MHz CLR || 5 ||
|-
| '''2600'''&nbsp;MHz IMT-E || 7 ||
|-
| '''700'''&nbsp;MHz Upper SMH Block C1	|| 13 ||
|-
| '''600'''&nbsp;MHz DD	|| 71 ||
|- 
| '''1700'''&nbsp;MHz AWS || n66 || rowspan="2" | NR || rowspan="2" | 5G || 
|-
| '''3500'''&nbsp;MHz C-Band || n78 ||
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.sasktelinternational.com/ SaskTel International]

{{CATV Canada}}
{{Canadian mobile phone companies}}
{{Canadian ISP}}
{{Saskcrowncorps}}
{{Regina Corporations}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sasktel}}
[[Category:Telecommunications companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Government-owned telecommunications companies]]
[[Category:Communications in Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Crown corporations of Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Companies based in Regina, Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Internet service providers of Canada]]
[[Category:1908 establishments in Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies established in 1908]]
[[Category:Canadian companies established in 1908]]