When we think global telecommunications, we tend to think about the large, innovative, multi-national organizations developing technology that gets used around the world. However, we often forget about some of the highly innovative organizations that are steps ahead many companies around the world. You don’t need to look very far if you want to find one of these organizations that we speak of.

SaskTel has made an incredible contribution to the telecommunication industry both at home, and around the world, for decades. In 1984, this Crown Corporation who was known for offering phone service and long distance calling was the first company in the entire world to complete what was then the longest fibre optic network.

The early 1990’s were arguably the telephone era for SaskTel. We were the first telecommunications company in Canada to eliminate party lines throughout the province, the first company to offer calling features including Call Display, and the first in Canada to offer a long distance savings plan to customers.

The mid to late 1990’s saw attention shift to Internet services with SaskTel being a leader in Canada to offer universal internet access throughout the province and the first company across the country to offer it without long distance charges being applied. As the technology was being upgraded, SaskTel was also the very first company in North America to offer high speed internet service using DSL technology.

At the beginning of the new millennium, SaskTel was gaining attention as the first provider in Canada to offer internet service with Wi-Fi capability and enhanced features including parental controls and remote access.  Max Digital Television service was also launched and SaskTel became the first company in North America to offer video-on-demand service (Max Front Row) as well as being the first on the continent to offer HDTV over an IP line as Max service is delivered through a telephone line.