Yellowknife, N.W.T. - NorthwesTel has put forth an investment plan to the CRTC of $273 million to bring what's called next generation wireless and broadband services to the north.

For communities like Yellowknife, the connection would be greatly increased, and smaller communities would be able to connect to all the same services.

NorthwesTel's president and CEO, Paul Flaherty, said this kind of investment into technology is very important for the North's growth.

“You know the North is a remote place and often times not very hospitable, this is one way of making distances disappear by using technology. So whether you happen to be someone purchasing a good or selling your goods all of the sudden you can connect to other markets, so it is a great opportunity for Northerners."

Flaherty said he believes this is a very unique opportunity because of a $40 million package from Astral.

"I think this is a very unique opportunity for the North and the fact that the Astral funding is available, it still needs to be approved but the fact that is there gives us a unique opportunity to do something very different and create a different outcome for Northerners."

Flaherty said they are expecting the CRTC to make their decision on the funding by next year, and they would put this plan into action by 2017.

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