SaskTel bringing 42 Mbps speeds to Regina and Saskatoon this Summer

SaskTel announced today that they have expanded their “4G” wireless network into 16 more locations… but more important news is that they’ll be bringing peak download speeds of 42 Mbps (megabits per second) this summer in Regina and Saskatoon. This means they’ll be launching a device than can handle the potential speeds… so be on the lookout for SaskTel to release the Novatel MC547 Internet Stick.

Full release after the break

SaskTel has expanded its 4G wireless network to 16 more locations across the province of Saskatchewan.

“Construction of the 4G network is a significant development for SaskTel and its customers in Saskatchewan,” said Bill Boyd, Minister Responsible for SaskTel. “SaskTel 4G wireless coverage is already available to 96% of the population. By the end of 2011 SaskTel’s wireless coverage will be available to 98% of the population.”

“Our 4G wireless network delivers increased bandwidth, greater international roaming and a wider selection of wireless devices,” said Ron Styles, SaskTel President and CEO. “4G is the new industry standard and will enable SaskTel to make a smooth transition to future generations of wireless technology.”

The 16 tower locations, along with 4G coverage details, are:
· Beauval village and rural sites: provides coverage to the village of Beauval and the surrounding area including highways 155 and 165.
· Buffalo Narrows village and rural sites: provide coverage to the village of Buffalo Narrows and the surrounding area including highway 155
· Canora Rural: provides coverage to the Canora area including highways 5 and 9.
· Central Butte: provides coverage to the town of Central Butte and the surrounding area including highways 19 and 42.
· Esterhazy Rural: provides coverage to the Esterhazy area including highways 22 and 80.
· Good Spirit Lake: provides coverage to Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park.
· île à la Crosse village and rural sites: provide coverage to the village of île à la Crosse and the surrounding area including highway 155.
· Invermay: provides coverage to the village of Invermay and the surrounding area including highway 5 southeast of Wadena.
· La Loche: provides coverage to the village of La Loche and the surrounding area including highways 155 and 955.
· Pinehouse: provides coverage to the village of Pinehouse and the surrounding area.
· Raymore: provides coverage to the town of Raymore and the surrounding area including highways 6 and 15.
· Waldron: provides coverage to the area southeast of Melville including highways 9 and 22.
· Warmley: provides coverage to the area northeast of Stoughton and west of Moose Mountain Provincial Park.

The 4G network provides increased bandwidth with download speeds approximately 4 times faster than existing speeds (up to 21 megabits per second, and up to 42 megabits per second in Regina and Saskatoon after an upgrade to be complete by this summer). It is also compatible with approximately 80% of all networks across the world and international roaming customers will be able to use their SaskTel 4G device on 4G networks anywhere.