Ottawa invests $105 million in rural Saskatchewan broadband

The federal government has announced an investment of $105 million to fund three high-speed Internet projects in central and northern Saskatchewan.

The move aims to connect over 6,500 rural and remote homes, with 4,800 in Indigenous communities.

This investment, delivered through Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel), is part of the Universal Broadband Fund. The program is designed to enhance digital connectivity in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across the nation. The government anticipates that the three projects will serve 6,522 households in 35 communities, including more than 4,800 Indigenous homes.

The federal government is partnering with provincial entities, as well as Indigenous leadership and local communities, to ensure the effective delivery of these projects. SaskTel has invested nearly $1 billion so far in fibre-powered Internet across Saskatchewan.

"These investments are strengthening our communities by delivering the high‑speed Internet that families and businesses need to thrive in today's increasingly connected economy," said Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and Minister Responsible for SaskTel, in today's announcement.

SaskTel will use the funding to extend its fibre-based infiNET network to over 30 northern and Indigenous communities

According to a release from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the estimated completion for these projects is March 31, 2027.

Canada's aim is to provide $3.225 billion in funding for high-speed Internet. The government Connectivity Strategy defines "high-speed" as at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 10 Mbps upload speeds. If successful, 98% of Canadian homes will have access to these networks by 2026, with the ultimate goal of reaching 100% by 2030.

According to recent government data, current access to high-speed Internet in Saskatchewan stands at 84.4% of households. Nationally, 95.8% of households are connected, an increase from 79% in 2014. Since 2015, more than $215 million has been invested in Saskatchewan through federal connectivity projects.

Alongside infrastructure funding, the government states that it is collaborating with Internet service providers to offer discounted services to eligible Canadians through the Connecting Families Initiative. This includes families who receive the maximum amount of the Canada Child Benefit, as well as some low-income seniors who meet the program's criteria.