Hay River gets new cell phone towers

February 22, 2012

Yellowknife, N. W. T. - Hay Riverites can expect to have their cell phone service expanded in the next little while.

The town has two plots of land being leased to Bell for the construction of two new cell phone towers.

Hay River town councillor Andrew Cassidy said the first one is expected to go up in Old Town.

"We are looking for a lot in the Old Town for a self supporting 30 meter tower. That one there, it's kind of within the limits of the airport but all the clearances and everything will meet. That will cover the coverage in the north of Hay River," said Cassidy.

The other one is expected to go up at the junction between Highway 2 and 5 to provide service for the south end, golf course, and additional coverage to Enterprise and Fort Smith.

Cassidy said the towers could provide other benefits for the town as well.

"These are communication towers that are set up and there has been a number of telecommunications groups that have expressed interest in possibly leasing or renting space on the tower with Bell so this may be an option down the road, “said Cassidy, "now this is going be an option between Bell and the other organizations."

He adds the recent decision by the CRTC to allow competition in the North is separate from this initiative.

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