Rural Internet Options in Saskatchewan

In recent years, the demand for low-cost, high-speed internet has increased dramatically. However, this last year has set new records, likely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread shift to remote work. Now, a quick and reliable connection has transitioned from a luxury to a necessity.

For city dwellers, the talk of high-speed internet may be a thing of the past, but for those living in rural Saskatchewan, it’s a different story.

As a 2021 report from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) finds, rural speeds hover around5.5 megabits per second (Mbps), while metropolitan speeds average around 50Mbps. Worse, the average upload speed is only one-tenth that of urban areas.

For rural users, slow internet speeds have become the norm. Fortunately, a few companies are working to change this:

1. SaskTel

As one of Saskatchewan's largest telecommunications firms, SaskTel owns and operates the province’s largest network covering 99 percent of the population, making it a great choice for rural residents.

SaskTel offers two distinct internet options for rural communities, both of which include free, unlimited access to selectWi-Fi:

fusion Internet

For homeowners who do not have access to a wired connection, fixed-wireless Fusion Internet is the best option. And, because there is no contract, it is a good option for most Internet users.

The standard fusion plan provides download speeds of up to 5 Mbps, upload speeds of up to 1 Mbps, and 100 GB.

If that’s not enough, you can upgrade to a Fusion 10Plan, which increases your download speed to 10 Mbps and upload speed to 2Mbps.

As a bonus: if you have an unlimited wireless plan with a SaskTel wireless device, you may be eligible for the Fusion Extra 5 and Fusion Extra 10 plans, which provide an additional 50 GB of data for free!

Mobile Internet

The SaskTel Mobile Internet plan allows you to use the Internet wherever you need it via a wireless network, making it ideal for camping trips or day trips where wired or fusion Internet is not available.

This plan provides users 5GB of data to use on their mobile device across Canada, with the possibility of additional data at an extra cost.

2. AccessRural Internet

Access offers affordable, wireless, high-speed internet packages designed specifically for rural homes, farms, and cabins without access to traditional wired Internet service.

AccessRural Internet service is available in over 100rural communities in Saskatchewan, catering to those who live outside of the AccessInternet service area. As an added benefit, the unlimited data, local support, and easy installation allows for fast internet access without additional fees or disruptions.

A wide variety of packages up to 25 Mbps are available across Saskatchewan. For availability, view their coverage map or request a site survey.

Here’s a high-level overview of their packages:

Rural HyperSpeed 25

With a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 3 Mbps, this plan is ideal for busy households with multiple devices. With this yearly subscription, you can get unlimited data and fast streaming for up to four devices.

Rural HighSpeed 10

The Rural HighSpeed 10 plan includes unlimited data,10 Mbps download speed, and 2 Mbps upload speed, making it ideal for households with two devices.

AccessSmart Wi-Fi+

AccessSmart Wi-Fi+ is a fast, low-cost option that gives you complete control over your wireless network. You can connect from anywhere, set controls, and even protect your smart home with advanced cybersecurity.

3. Xplornet

Xplornet has invested in infrastructure upgrades in addition to its high-speed network. With their commitment to rural Saskatchewan since2017, Xplornet has launched two satellites and built or improved nearly 150wireless towers to connect the province.

Choosing between their three Satellite 10 plans allows you and your family to work, stream, learn, and play with the speed you need and the flexibility to change your plan at any time.

Satellite 10

Offering three different levels of their Satellite 10plan, all options provide fast speeds for streaming and browsing, making them perfect for 2-3 users in the home. They all provide up to 10 Mbps of download speed, with the differences being 100 GB, 75 GB, or 50 GB at max speed of monthly data.

Living in rural Saskatchewan used to mean being disconnected from the outside world and having a slow, lagging internet connection—but that doesn’t have to be the case today! Wipstream works with all the aforementioned services to expand your bandwidth by drawing from multiple data streams at once, which means no more buffering or waiting.

Whether you’re looking for better internet at home or on the road, we’ve got you covered. Check out our plans and reach out to us if you have any questions!