A story in The St. Ignace News' series bringing our readers fresh perspectives on the top issues facing the Straits area and the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

Like so many Eastern Upper Peninsula residents, Rick Shapero doesn't get good cell phone reception everywhere, including in his Cedarville home. And like so many, he wants to know what cell phone companies are doing to improve reception in the region.

"My cell phone is a great place to leave a message, but it only rings when I'm not at home," said Mr. Shapero, a Verizon Wireless subscriber.

If left up to the major cellular providers, it will likely take several years to build infrastructure in the EUP necessary to provide service that residents want now.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has no legal authority to tell telecommunications companies where to build infrastructure, said Matt Nodine, legal advisor for the commission.

"The FCC does not tell providers where they have to provide their service," he said. "That's their business decision."

Within the last two years, two major cell phone providers have made deals to expand their cellular networks, which may or may not improve reception in the EUP.

About a year and a half ago, AT&T took steps to expand its cellular network in low-population areas in several states, including Michigan. The purchase of Dobson Communications Corporation in July 2007 expanded AT&T's coverage area throughout the Upper Peninsula and much of the Lower Peninsula. More than 60 cell towers were upgraded in Michigan since the transition.

Amy Grundman, an AT&T spokesperson, said the company has no plans to further improve its service in the EUP.

Dobson was an Oklahoma Citybased wireless communications provider to rural and suburban areas, operating under the Cellular One brand.

More recently, Verizon Wireless announced the purchase of cellular provider Alltel. The deal made this past summer gives Verizon control of 57 rural markets it previously did not serve, including most of the Upper Peninsula. The purchase, which was finalized Friday, January 9, makes Verizon the largest mobile phone network in the U.S., surpassing AT&T.

Scott Morris, corporate communications manager for Alltel, told The St. Ignace News before the closing of the sale that there is a complicated evaluation process to decide if and where erecting new towers is "financially feasible."

"The decision about what happens to the network there will now be Verizon's," he said.

Verizon has no plans to further expand or improve the cellular network infrastructure in the EUP, said Michelle Gilbert, company spokesperson.

"Right now what we're looking at is converging the two systems together. It's too soon to answer that. We take a look at where are customers are going, where they live, and where they use their phones. Population does, in fact, play a role," in deciding where to expand the network, she said.

Mr. Shapero, who has two landlines along with his cell phone, said he hopes to be able to reduce the number of phones as well as have better reception on his cell phone as a result of the Alltel takeover.

"I'm excited about that possibility," he said.

Of the major carriers, AT&T and Verizon now provide the most complete coverage in the EUP; Verizon offered only limited coverage before the Alltel takeover.

Sprint and T-Mobile currently offer no service plans to most U.P. residents.

Sprint customers from other areas will still get reception here, but will pay roaming charges, said Sprint regional spokesperson Mark Elliott. He declined to say why Sprint does not offer service plans to U.P. residents.

Installing booster amplifiers in homes and vehicles can boost cell phone signals up to three additional watts of signal, but there is no guarantee the amplifiers will improve reception where service isn't available.

Customers Advised To Create

a Demand for Better Service

There are steps EUP municipalities and residents can take to jumpstart the process of bringing about improved cellular infrastructure to the region.

Pinpointing gaps in coverage, and notifying providers where those gaps are located may be one way to bring about such improvements.

Joint Venture, a consortium of businesses, carriers, and municipalities working to eliminate cellular "dead zones" in California, recommends writing letters to cell phone providers and municipal and regional planning committees to ask for improved coverage. Doing so creates a demand for better quality service.

The state's poor financial situation has led to cutting technology improvement funding, said Ken Osborne, legislative director for Michigan Senator Jason Allen. He said the senator realizes expanding wireless, broadband, and computer technology to rural areas is necessary, but there isn't a specific bill in the state legislature that addresses cellular infrastructure improvements.

"Nothing concrete in terms of an actual bill, but there have been technology discussions as a whole," he said. Reliable cell phone coverage "is lacking in parts of the state, that's for sure."

Sen. Allen, who used to carry two cell phones in the EUP because one would lose reception when traveling east of I-75, said there are components in President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package that aim to improve technology infrastructure. Where the dollars allocated for Michigan will be spent, however, is yet to be determined, he said.

"We'll see more of what's in the actual plan" after it is approved, he added, and he's hoping some of the money will be used in the EUP.

Three billion dollars is expected to be earmarked in the stimulus package through the House Energy and Commerce Committee to improve high-speed Internet and wireless service in rural areas.