The Government of Saskatchewan says SaskTel is investing another $100 million in the Rural Fibre network to expand their infiNET service to more than 80 additional towns and villages.

Minister Responsible Don Morgan says expanding the fibre optic broadband network in the province will help create a more connected and prosperous future for the province.

For Balgonie, Biggar, Langham, Pilot Butte and Kindersley the construction is more than 95 per cent complete. Construction has begun in Meadow Lake, Rosetown, Canora, Carlyle, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’appelle, Hudson Bay, Maple Creek, Indian Head, La Ronge, Lumsden, Shaunavon, Kamsack and Wynyard.

In a news release, SUMA President Randy Goulden says they welcome SaskTel additional funding to address the gap in service for smaller communities. She says connectivity is key to the viability of SUMA’s smaller members, in the future.

SARM president Ray Orb says it is essential for rural Saskatchewan to have access to broadband services that achieves parity with services available in larger communities.

SaskTel anticipates all communities included in the Rural Fibre Initiative will be fibre-ready by the end of March 2025.