SaskTel and Bell to share HSPA infrastructure

Saskatchewan-based SaskTel has reached an agreement to share 3.5G HSPA mobile network infrastructure with nationwide operator Bell Mobility. Bell and fellow national operator Telus are due to launch commercial HSPA services next month after rolling out new infrastructure under a network sharing model. SaskTel previously announced that it will build its own HSPA network in Saskatchewan aiming for a launch in mid-2010 with a targeted completion date of 2011. Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility, said of the new deal: ‘This new network sharing agreement with SaskTel allows us to quickly and cost-effectively extend the country’s largest and fastest wireless network to even more Canadians.’ Bell said that the agreement raises the planned population coverage of the 3.5G network from 93% to 94%, whilst SaskTel said it will give nationwide access to new advanced services to its customers.