SaskTel has begun activating Samsung’s cloud-native 4G and 5G Core across its provincial network, advancing its shift toward a fully virtualized, container-based mobile architecture. The deployment strengthens SaskTel’s ongoing 5G expansion and increases support for high-speed, low-latency services for both consumer and enterprise users. The rollout follows Samsung’s end-to-end 5G solution already in use across SaskTel’s RAN footprint since 2021.
Samsung’s cloud-native Core introduces a service-based architecture designed to boost network agility, improve automation, and reduce lifecycle management overhead. SaskTel expects the software-defined platform to accelerate new service launches and support applications across smart agriculture, virtual healthcare, industrial IoT, and gaming. With the operator now covering nearly 90% of Saskatchewan’s population with 5G, the new Core positions the network for its next step: Samsung’s 5G Standalone (SA) Core deployment.
The 4G/5G Core upgrade will operate alongside SaskTel’s use of 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz spectrum, enabling higher throughput and reduced latency for future services. Samsung Networks, which provides chipsets, radios, virtualized RAN, AI-RAN, and automation tools, continues to expand its Canadian market footprint as operators transition to cloud-native architectures.
• Samsung’s cloud-native 4G/5G Core adds containerized, service-based architecture
• Enhances automation from deployment through scaling and lifecycle management
• SaskTel 5G covers ~90% of Saskatchewan’s population
• Deployment aligns with use of 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz mid-band spectrum
• Next phase includes rollout of Samsung’s 5G Standalone (SA) Core
• Supports growth in smart agriculture, virtual health, IoT, and immersive applications
“We at SaskTel are proud to launch Samsung’s Core on our network, which will serve as a transformative step toward accelerating innovation and enhancing the everyday wireless experience for our customers,” said Charlene Gavel, SaskTel President and CEO.
🌐 Analysis: Samsung continues to expand cloud-native mobile core deployments across North America as operators shift from EPC-to-5GC migrations to full SA cores supporting AI-driven automation. SaskTel’s adoption follows deployments by major U.S. and global carriers, bringing more competition to an ecosystem that includes Ericsson dual-mode cores and Nokia’s cloud-native core portfolio. SaskTel’s spectrum position and rural footprint also make it a notable testbed for 5G-enabled agriculture and remote care services.
🌐 We’re tracking the latest developments in mobile infrastructure and 5G architecture. Follow our ongoing coverage at: https://convergedigest.com/category/5g/
