Samsung establishing regional office in Regina to support 5G rollout
Samsung Electronics Canada will be establishing a new regional office in Regina, through a partnership with SaskTel.
The office based in downtown Regina will support the deployment of 5G network capabilities across Saskatchewan.
“We are pleased to continue building our relationship with SaskTel and supporting the growth of Saskatchewan’s flourishing technology sector,” said Jeff Jo, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics Canada.
“The opening of a Samsung office in Regina underscores our commitment to ensuring a successful, end-to-end 5G network deployment for SaskTel, and enabling the foundation for next-generation innovations such as smart cities, immersive healthcare, agri-tech solutions and next-level gaming.”
In March, the companies announced that Samsung would supply all hardware, software and expertise to deploy 5G technology in the province.
“As wireless technology continues to redefine how we live and work, our government will continue doing all we can to pave the way for future growth and success in all of Saskatchewan’s industries and sectors,” Don Morgan, Minister Responsible for SaskTel said.
SaskTel said it plans to deploy a 5G network on a limited basis by the end of 2021, with further development in Regina and Saskatoon in 2022.
Samsung’s regional office will create a minimum of 10 jobs and will potentially expand as operations concerning 5G get underway.
“We’re going to need to rely on graduates who are coming out of university who have an experience in I.T and telecoms together,” said Samsung Vice President and Head of Samsung Networks Steven Wiktorski. “So, we’ll be working closely with the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina to try and find those types of graduates.”
Over the next five years, SaskTel projects to invest approximately $500 million into 5G technology across the province and add around 70 positions in support of the new effort as well.
President and CEO of SaskTel, Doug Burnett, outlined the importance of the partnership moving forward.
“Samsung is also strongly aligned with SaskTel on the incredible economic and social value that 5G can provide to Saskatchewan’s industry, agriculture, and as well our rural areas,” he said.
The optimism was quite widespread, even reaching John Lee, the President and CEO of Economic Development Regina.
“For us, its music to our ears,” he said regarding the announcement. “Economic development is all about jobs. From what we understand, they’re hiring an initial small group of staff, but it has real potential to grow once they become more involved in our community and their work with SaskTel.”
Lee also believes the partnership will act as a beacon for other companies to think about moving to Regina and aid the city’s aspirations to become a hub for agri-tech in the coming years.
“So as a community you’re starting to attract IT related companies and what follows is that you then attract more,” he said. “Announcements like this help with investment attraction but they also help a city like Regina when we’re trying to brand ourself as a city that’s a great place to set up shop.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING 14 suspects arrested in grandparent scam targeting seniors across Canada: Ontario police
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.