Cell Towers Up and Running in Athabasca Communities

March 3, 2016 in Giving Back News
Explorer: Spring 2016

December marked the completion of a $6M project in the Athabasca region that began with a donation announcement on a stormy day in November 2013.

On December 21, 2015, SaskTel announced that the new cellular towers serving the communities of Stony Rapids and Black Lake were fully operational and residents could now enjoy the benefits of SaskTel wireless service. Wollaston Lake and Fond du Lac’s towers were operational in September 2015.

The extension of wireless cellular service to these Northern Communities was made possible through a partnership between SaskTel, Athabasca Basin Development and Huawei Canada. This partnership is based on SaskTel’s Community Participation Model, which encourages communities to raise funds to assist in installing cellular infrastructure where it may not otherwise be economically feasible for SaskTel to do so.

“SaskTel remains committed to connecting all the residents of this vast province to technology and the opportunities it brings,” said Minister Responsible for SaskTel Jim Reiter. “In addition to this important initiative, with support from the Connecting Canadians Program, SaskTel is also working on extending and increasing broadband internet speeds to an additional 26 Northern communities.”

“This is a great day for the people in Stony Rapids,” said Mayor Daniel Powder. “We’ve heard from our neighbors in Wollaston and Fond du Lac about how much easier it is to communicate in the community and within Saskatchewan. To have dependable cellular service now in our community means so much for our residents.”

“This cell tower represents such an important investment into our community,” said Rick Robillard, Chief of Black Lake First Nation. “The increased ability to communicate opens so much more potential for our business climate and improves the lives and safety of our residents. I am very excited that these towers are operational in Black Lake!”

The total cost of this project was $6 million with Athabasca Basin Development Corporation providing $249,000 and Huawei contributing $385,000 in funding and telecommunications equipment.

“I am very happy to see this improvement in cellular service for the members of our community,” said Chief Bart Tsannie of Hatchet Lake First Nation. “One of the most significant challenges for our area is accessibility, and these towers are helping improve connectivity to the rest of Saskatchewan. Initiatives like these serve as an important step in building a better future for our residents, and I see this as a significant and vital investment in our community.”

“Huawei is extremely proud of our long- term partnership with SaskTel, and of our partnership with the Athabasca Basin Development Corporation, to work together to make this new service a reality,” said Sean Yang, President Huawei Canada. “Wireless broadband and mobile services will bring both economic and social benefit to the residents of Stony Rapids and Black Lake, and reinforces the critical importance of ensuring all Canadians, regardless of location, have access to leading-edge telecommunications

services.”

“I’d like to thank SaskTel and Huawei Canada for their partnership in this exciting initiative

for the Athabasca region,” said Geoff Gay, CEO of Athabasca Basin Development. “We look for opportunities that provide long lasting benefit for the Athabasca communities, and this one was such a perfect fit. We are so pleased that all four towers are now operational, and that the people in the Athabasca region have access to increased connectivity and all the benefits that come with that.”

A video is currently being produced by Bamboo Shoots and SaskTel that will help show the tremendous impact these towers are having on the Athabasca communities. Stay tuned to ABD’s social media channels for future updates.