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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.