Like the rest of the world, COVID-19 had an effect on SaskTel’s finances.
President and CEO Doug Burnett estimates it cost about $10.7-million in income during the last fiscal year, which concluded on March 31st.
The Crown Corporation’s annual report says net income was down $7.6-million in the last fiscal year, sitting at $119.8-million, mostly because of COVID-19.
Burnett says about 90 per cent of the staff began working from home, data overages were waived from mid-March to June 8th and some customers moved to cheaper plans because of the waiving of overage charges.
SaskTel, along with SaskPower and SaskEnergy now have interest waiver programs, meaning no late penalties and no disconnections for 6 months, and then after that time, customers who apply will have a year to catch up on their bills.
SaskTel’s dividends to the Crown Investment Corporation were $107.2-million, a decrease of $9.1-million from the 2018-19 fiscal year.

Burnett added that SaskTel is trying to improve its rural coverage, and internet and wireless connectivity continue to grow.
Over the last few years, 103 towers have been added for smaller communities and carriers have been upgraded in resort areas.
Burnett says they are looking at different methods of increased coverage in smaller communities as demand for bandwidth continues to increase.