A new poll recently released indicates Saskatchewan residents are unsure of what to do with SaskTel.

The poll showed a surprising 39 per cent said they favour a potential sale, with 42 per cent opposed and 19 per cent unsure of what to do.

After the takeover of MTS in Manitoba, a risk assessment was done to examine the vulnerability of SaskTel to a takeover by a major corperation like Bell. MTS was sold to Bell for 3.9 billion dollars and it left SaskTel as the only independent telecom firm in Western Canada, and the only government-owned regional company in North America. In all, the report concluded “there is a risk that SaskTel’s net income will be unable to support the level of dividends that have been returned to the province in recent years.”  The province has asked for a formal response on the review from SaskTel, which will likely include some actions that can be taken to mitigate the risks.

Support for keeping SaskTel in government hands was highest — at 44 per cent — outside of Regina and Saskatoon. Rural areas are the strongest supporters of the Sask. Party government, but they’re also where industry watchers long have warned rates might rise most if SaskTel was absorbed by a private-sector rival.

But even in those rural areas and small cities, 42 per cent of respondents were open to a potential sale with 14 per cent undecided, a smaller proportion than in any other area.

Respondents to the SaskTel sale question were evenly balanced between genders. Agewise, opposition to a potential sale was strongest among those from 50-64 years of age — at 45 per cent vs. 40 per cent open to a sale.

There was a notable lack on enthusiasm for a sale among seniors, though fully 34 per cent still are amenable to a sale if deemed necessary. Those between 18 and 34 were evenly split at around 40 per cent, with the balance undecided.