Canada's SaskTel has started testing its 4G LTE wireless network ahead of commercial launch. A technical trial with select employees will take place immediately with commercial availability scheduled for Regina and Saskatoon, and surrounding communities, beginning early February 2013.  

operator plans to offer LTE in more communities in Saskatchewan at launch and throughout 2013 the network will be extended to Estevan, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Swift Current, Weyburn and Yorkton.

For now, SaskTel will leverage its LTE technology for data and will continue to use the HSPA+ network for voice services. operator will make existing wireless data plans available to 4G LTE customers without charging a premium.

SaskTel will deploy LTE in nine cities in the province leveraging existing AWS spectrum but future phases are highly dependent on SaskTel being successful in the Federal Government’s 700 Mhz spectrum auction expected in the first half of 2013.