SaskTel says it is wrapping up the first phase of it $100 million Rural Fibre upgrade.

The Crown telecommunications company says the initiative is over 95 per cent complete and the majority of the households and businesses in Balgonie, Biggar, Langham, and Pilot Butte can now connect to SaskTel infiNET service.

SaskTel’s goal is to have infiNET service reach over 60 communities by the end of 2023.

Phase 2 will impact Kindersley, Meadow Lake, and Rosetown. Construction has already started in Kindersley and will soon begin in Meadow Lake, and Rosetown.

Phase 3 is Canora, Carlyle, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’Appelle, Hudson Bay, Indian Head, Kamsack, La Ronge, Lumsden, Maple Creek, Moosomin, Shaunavon, Watrous, and Wynyard. SaskTel plans to begin construction in a number of these communities in 2022.

Phase 4 targets Assiniboia, Buffalo Narrows, Caronport, Carrot River, Dalmeny, Davidson, Dundurn, Foam Lake, Gravelbourg, Gull Lake, Île-à-la-Crosse, Kipling, La Loche, Lanigan, Macklin, Osler, Outlook, Oxbow, Preeceville, Regina Beach (including Buena Vista and Kinookimaw), Rocanville, Shellbrook, Unity, and Wadena. SaskTel plans to begin construction in these communities in 2023.