Fast Track to the Future: Maidstone Gets High-Speed Internet
For many in the small Saskatchewan community of Maidstone, lag times and buffering symbols are becoming a thing of the past.
Members of the community celebrated the launch of SaskTel’s infiNET service, marking the community as one of 80 communities now connected via the rural Fibre initiative.
“We’re just getting into all the streaming stuff so I’m looking forward to it.” Local resident, Pegg, shared her excitement over the prospect of high-speed internet in Maidstone.
She was not alone.
"It’s fast, we’re a Netflix family," local resident, Flasch said. "You’ll often find it slows down and now since our house has been upgraded and our service has been upgraded to infiNET, it’s been nice to be able to use all of our devices at once without the lag.”
The expansion marks a pivotal moment, not only for entertainment purposes but also for the economic development of the Saskatchewan community. Maidstone Mayor Brennan Becotte, a longtime customer who found himself leaving the company behind
during the pandemic due to infrastructure limitations
, praised the new service, calling its speeds “absolutely unbelievable.”
He Sees the high- وبشكل من ناحية KBSituations are rapidly changing.
“As a longtime customer, I was experienced lag and buffering were a constant struggle, especially during the pandemic when everyone was working from home, ” Becotte said. He also highlighted the years-long process of educating the community about the necessary road work associated with the fibre optic upgrades.
SaskTel product manager Greg Jacobs explained that selection process for rollout involves several factors including community size, infrastructure needs and potential for growth. “That’s what we’re going to continue to do as we move forward.”
Mayor Becotte expressed his gratitude
The expansion demonstrates a commitment to bridging the digital divide, as explained by MLA James Thorsteinson.
He explained, “There are few pieces of infrastructure more important than those that deliver internet activity. It enables collaboration, online learning and helps patients get the healthcare they need. Most importantly, broadband ensures that families in communities of all sizes have an equal opportunity to participate and succeed (in our) ever-connected world.”
The ongoing expansion reflects a broader provincial priority. MLA Jeremy Harrison echoed this sentiment, “The expansion is offering “better access to remote learning and work opportunities, further enhancing quality of life and creating a stronger and more prosperous economic future for Saskatchewan.”
SaskTel’s investment in the program demonstrates the company’s commitment to rural communities. Jacobs noted the substantial financial investment, “When you’re talking about upgrading a community to infiNET, even a community novices like Stone , you’re talking more than a million dollars."
The company has invested nearly
“By the time we’re done with the rural Fibre initiative,
We think we’re making every good progress with it, it just takes time,” Jacobs confirmed, explaining further that most areas in
Shed light on the greater impact of the widespread connectivity improvements..
The company anticipates that the bulk of the announced communities will be online by the end
What are the long-term benefits of high-speed internet for Maidstone?
## Fast Track to the Future: A Conversation with Maidstone’s Mayor
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show! Today we’re talking about a big win for rural Saskatchewan: the arrival of high-speed internet in the town of Maidstone. With me is Mayor Brennan Becotte, who’s been eagerly awaiting this connection for some time. Mayor Becotte, welcome to the show.
**Mayor Becotte:** Thanks for having me!
**Interviewer:** So, Maidstone is now one of 80 communities connected through SaskTel’s infiNET program. What does this mean for the people of Maidstone, both personally and economically?
**Mayor Becotte:** This is truly a game-changer for us. For years, we’ve struggled with slow, unreliable internet. Streaming services were out of the question, working from home was a constant battle with lag, and businesses were limited in their online capabilities. With infiNET, those struggles are gone. Speeds are incredible – honestly, unbelievable! People can finally stream movies without buffering, work remotely effectively, and our businesses can compete on a level playing field. It opens up a whole new world of opportunities for Maidstone.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned experiencing lag and buffering yourself. What was it like living with those limitations, particularly during the pandemic when so many relied on online communication?
**Mayor Becotte:** It was incredibly frustrating. I remember feeling disconnected from the world. During the pandemic, when everyone was working and learning from home, it was a real struggle. My internet simply couldn’t keep up. I even had to switch providers temporarily because their service was better, but now, thanks to infiNET, SaskTel is winning me back!
**Interviewer:** This project involved laying new fibre optic cable throughout town. I understand that involved some road work, which can be challenging for a community. How did you handle that process with residents?
**Mayor Becotte:** You’re right, there was some disruption, but SaskTel did a great job communicating with us and working with residents to minimize the impact. We understood the importance of the project and the long-term benefits it would bring, so people were generally understanding.
**Interviewer:** What message do you have for other rural communities who are still waiting for access to high-speed internet?
**Mayor Becotte:** Hang in there! This technology is life-changing. Reliable internet isn’t a luxury anymore; it’s essential for everything from education and healthcare to economic development and connecting with loved ones. I’m incredibly grateful that SaskTel chose to invest in Maidstone. I have no doubt that this project will have a lasting positive impact on our community.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for joining us, Mayor Becotte. We wish you and the entire Maidstone community all the best with this exciting new connection. [[1](https://discoverestevan.com/articles/province-details-newest-expansion-of-fibre-internet-to-rural-communities)]
