Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Internet traffic, landline calls increase as people work from home

- MARK MELNYCHUK mmelnychuk@postmedia.com

REGINA With many Saskatchew­an residents working from home during the COVID -19 pandemic, Sasktel has seen a 100 per cent increase in calls being made on its landline network.

The Crown corporatio­n said in a statement that most of that increase is due to toll-free calling, which is associated with conference calling activity. Sasktel said teleconfer­encing and video conferenci­ng vendors are working to add system resources to accommodat­e the increase in demand.

As for wireless voice traffic on cellphones, Sasktel has seen a 16 per cent increase in demand over the past week.

Internet traffic has also seen a boost as more people stay home to consume streaming entertainm­ent or turn to video games. Sasktel’s national internet traffic increased between 25-30 per cent, while provincial data traffic increased approximat­ely five per cent. National traffic is traffic on Sasktel’s network that’s going out of the province.

The Crown’s television service, maxtv, has seen content delivery increase by 10-18 per cent over the past week.

Sasktel said it’s taking steps to ensure its data capacity is able to handle the increased pressure being put on its network.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we realize communicat­ions services are essential as customers have increased needs to work from home and remotely, and we’re taking the appropriat­e steps to ensure the network continues to perform well,” said Sasktel in a statement.

Sasktel has also been taking other measures to accommodat­e the unpreceden­ted circumstan­ces presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Crown is waiving data overage charges for wireless and fusion internet customers between March 17-31. It’s also providing compliment­ary access to news and family networks on maxtv and maxtv streaming services until March 31. The channels include CTV News, CBC News Network, LCN, Family, Family Jr and Family CHRGD.

Sasktel has also developed contingenc­y plans so its operations can continue while employees work remotely.

Sasktel is also giving priority to emergency services to ensure critical communicat­ion infrastruc­ture is maintained. This includes services for police, fire and 911, military, essential services at hospitals, doctors, ambulance services, and government department­s and officials involved with the health and welfare of communitie­s.

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