SaskTel, Samsung Canada, and Innovation Saskatchewan are launching the province’s first 5G Innovation Labs. These labs, powered by Samsung, will help local businesses, students, researchers, and innovators explore and develop 5G technology to improve communication and connectivity in Saskatchewan.
“There are significant economic opportunities and social benefits that advanced communications networks and technologies can deliver to people in communities across our province,” said Jeremy Harrison, Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan. “These labs are a critical resource for local innovators, providing them with the means to fully leverage advanced wireless technologies and develop innovative solutions. Access to the latest high quality 5G services will play an important role in connecting our province and accelerating Saskatchewan's economic growth.”
Also Read: Government of Canada Invests $160M in Saskatchewan Connectivity
Innovation Saskatchewan: Home to the 5G Innovation Labs
The 5G Innovation Labs are at the Collider co-working spaces in Saskatoon and Regina, located within Innovation Place research and technology parks. The flexible Collider spaces support both short- and long-term projects, making them ideal for a range of uses.
“Innovation Saskatchewan is proud to be home to the 5G Innovation Labs,” echoed Kari Harvey, CEO of Innovation Saskatchewan. “This collaboration between industry and government shows the province’s commitment to ensuring the competitiveness of our tech sector and expanding opportunities through our evolving innovation corridor.”
Additionally, close to major universities, research centers, and tech companies, these spaces offer a convenient hub for lab users.
Importance of 5G Labs
5G labs are vital for Canadian companies because they enable fast, secure data transfer, helping businesses test products and do research seamlessly. This is especially useful for key industries like agriculture, mining, healthcare, and Internet of Things (IoT).
Commenting on the launch, Charlene Gavel, SaskTel President and CEO, stated, “I want to thank both Samsung and Innovation Saskatchewan for partnering with us to bring these labs from concept to reality, and we’re excited to launch the labs so that we can start pushing the boundaries of 5G technology to create a more connected future for our province.”
Launched in late 2021, SaskTel's 5G network includes over 520 cell sites and covers nearly 85% of Saskatchewan’s population. It already provides super-fast data speeds and will keep evolving to meet customer needs and support new wireless technologies.
New Era of Innovation in Saskatchewan
“We are only just beginning to see the incredible possibilities 5G will enable for Canadian industries, and with these new Innovation Labs we are marking a critical next step in bringing these capabilities to life,” said Stephen Wiktorski, Vice President and Head of Networks at Samsung Canada. “Together with SaskTel and Innovation Saskatchewan, we are proud to realize a new era of innovation in Saskatchewan.”
Samsung, SaskTel's main wireless partner, is supplying the latest 4G and 5G technology to promote innovation. Samsung's tech, equipped with advanced 5G setup, with ultra-low latency and high bandwidth, will drive progress in wireless networks. In parallel, the 5G Innovation Labs will give innovators the tools they need to succeed.
