The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by ETI Software and VETRO FiberMap.
In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine sits down with Charlene Gavel, President and CEO of SaskTel, during Day One of Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville. With decades of telecom experience and a deep passion for serving her province, Charlene shares how SaskTel is bridging the digital divide across vast Canadian territory—and why its journey from telco to techco is just getting started.
Charlene’s connection to SaskTel runs deep—her father worked there for over 30 years, and her own career began at the company right after university. After time spent gaining experience in other industries, Charlene returned, eventually rising to CFO and then CEO in 2023. Her journey reflects both personal dedication and professional evolution, underpinned by a strong belief in community-driven connectivity.
One of the biggest themes in this episode is geography. Saskatchewan is roughly the size of Texas but home to just 1.13 million people. That lack of population density presents significant infrastructure challenges. Yet as a Crown Corporation, SaskTel has a mandate to serve the entire province—not just the areas where the business case makes sense.
“We don’t always have a positive business case,” Charlene says, “but we do see positive outcomes for the province—in healthcare, education, and industry.”
SaskTel has been a leader in fiber deployment since the 1980s—long before it was the industry standard. Today, the company has passed 77% of homes and businesses with fiber and has set an ambitious goal of reaching 90%. But the evolution doesn’t stop at infrastructure. Charlene emphasizes that fiber is just the foundation.
“We’ve invested a lot in infrastructure,” she explains. “Now we need to monetize that in new ways.” This includes developing new services for consumers and businesses alike, shifting from a traditional telco to a full-fledged techco.
Charlene defines a “techco” as a company that leverages automation, innovation, and value-added services built on top of existing networks. It’s about efficiency, scalability, and relevance in a digital-first world. SaskTel’s internal teams are actively exploring this transformation—embracing automation, AI, and next-gen OSS/BSS technologies to power the future.
One of SaskTel’s unique strengths is its consulting and software arm, SaskTel International. Originally created in response to interest from global telecoms in SaskTel’s early fiber success, this division now operates in over 40 countries across six continents.
From designing and deploying wireless networks to offering software suites like the Optius OSS for fiber inventory management, SaskTel International extends the company’s expertise far beyond Canada.
Charlene offers valuable advice to rising leaders:
Follow your passion
Speak up, even when it’s intimidating
Seek out mentors
Say yes to new projects
Trust your team and ask the right questions
She also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the business and technology sides of the organization—something SaskTel balances with care.
Charlene sees a bright future for SaskTel—not just in terms of infrastructure but in the services and impact it can deliver across Saskatchewan and beyond. From enabling education and healthcare to driving regional economic growth, SaskTel is more than just a telecom provider. It’s a community builder.
“We’re not just installing fiber,” Charlene says. “We’re enabling the province.”
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