SaskTel is prepared to launch the newest version of their high-speed wireless network. 

In a statement released late last week, they announced that the 5G network is en route to Saskatchewan for the Spring/Summer of 2022. 

Greg Jacobs, external communications manager for SaskTel, said that they are extremely excited to begin deployment of the new network. 

“We anticipate that we'll be able to deliver 5G service to all of Regina and Saskatoon sometime this spring before we look at expanding the network to other communities,” he stated. 

Jacobs said there are three main areas of improvement when comparing 5G to 4G. 

These significant changes include a serious upgrade to internet speeds, a much smaller latency in the new network, and a much larger capacity. 

Jacobs noted that these upgrades are especially important as technology continues to develop and residents proceed to add more and more devices to their homes. 

“You always hear about smart homes with ring doorbells and smart watches, things like that,” he said. “It'll really allow us to develop that ecosystem because you have a foundation for more things to connect to the network.” 

The first phase will see the implementation of the network in Regina and Saskatoon before the focus will shift towards other communities and rural areas in the province. 

“Our primary focus is getting the network up and running in the two largest centers over the next five years,” Jacobs said. “We expect that we'll be investing about $500 million, expanding that network to the majority of Saskatchewan residents.” 

Jacobs states that the roll out of the 5 th generation of wireless technology is a major step forward. 

“Very similar to the shift we saw when we went from 3G to 4G, where you know it's introduced really, the app economy where you can use smart banking and things like that,” he said. “So, we do have some thoughts as to what 5G will bring, and some improvements we'll make with AgriTech, smart cities, self-driving cars, things like that, but really the exciting part about this new network is the unknowns. 

“Exactly what technological innovations will come as a result of this upgrade to 5G? So, it's a very exciting time because there's a lot of unknowns with it.”