dissapointed in national digital plan
I just came back from a visit in S. Dakota. In preperation I temporarily changed our plan to national from local so that there would be no roaming. I was told that Faith South Dakota and route 212 was covered.
Well, Faith was pretty much covered although seven miles out on a farm was not (even though the terrain is flat). In addition while attempting to call 911 and then the state highway patrol I was continually disconnected along route 212 (a major state highway - again flat terrain). VZW states that of course they focus on populated areas. I agree with that strategy. In this case VZW should assure coverage along major travel routes. In a city there are alternative ways to make phone calls. Along a highway there is rarely an al...
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Well, Faith was pretty much covered although seven miles out on a farm was not (even though the terrain is flat). In addition while attempting to call 911 and then the state highway patrol I was continually disconnected along route 212 (a major state highway - again flat terrain). VZW states that of course they focus on populated areas. I agree with that strategy. In this case VZW should assure coverage along major travel routes. In a city there are alternative ways to make phone calls. Along a highway there is rarely an al...
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sammy2 said:...
I just came back from a visit in S. Dakota. In preperation I temporarily changed our plan to national from local so that there would be no roaming. I was told that Faith South Dakota and route 212 was covered.
Well, Faith was pretty much covered although seven miles out on a farm was not (even though the terrain is flat). In addition while attempting to call 911 and then the state highway patrol I was continually disconnected along route 212 (a major state highway - again flat terrain). VZW states that of course they focus on populated areas. I agree with that strategy. In this case VZW should assure coverage along major travel routes. In a city there are alternative ways to make phone calls. Alon
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muchdrama said:...sammy2 said:
I just came back from a visit in S. Dakota. In preperation I temporarily changed our plan to national from local so that there would be no roaming. I was told that Faith South Dakota and route 212 was covered.
Well, Faith was pretty much covered although seven miles out on a farm was not (even though the terrain is flat). In addition while attempting to call 911 and then the state highway patrol I was continually disconnected along route 212 (a major state highway - again flat terrain). VZW states that of course they focus on populated areas. I agree with that strategy. In this case VZW should assure coverage along major travel routes. In a city there are altern
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sammy2 said:...muchdrama said:sammy2 said:
I just came back from a visit in S. Dakota. In preperation I temporarily changed our plan to national from local so that there would be no roaming. I was told that Faith South Dakota and route 212 was covered.
Well, Faith was pretty much covered although seven miles out on a farm was not (even though the terrain is flat). In addition while attempting to call 911 and then the state highway patrol I was continually disconnected along route 212 (a major state highway - again flat terrain). VZW states that of course they focus on populated areas. I agree with that strategy. In this case VZW should assure coverage along major travel ro
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you make my case. Along a route as you describe it should have coverage along the seven mile area. I am not expecting utopia which would include coverage along every square inch of the earth but rather at a minimum along the major thoroughfares and in the major cities. As the providers move to all digital they need to increase the tower density.
I can not imagine that the ranchers would not love to have a tower on their land along the highway for a lease fee. I doubt the cattle would complain as do many city neighbors. An alternative is to mount the antennas on the antelopes' racks (they frequently hang around the road perimeter).
I can not imagine that the ranchers would not love to have a tower on their land along the highway for a lease fee. I doubt the cattle would complain as do many city neighbors. An alternative is to mount the antennas on the antelopes' racks (they frequently hang around the road perimeter).
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sammy2 said:I just think it's pretty irrational to expect perfect covera...
you make my case. Along a route as you describe it should have coverage along the seven mile area. I am not expecting utopia which would include coverage along every square inch of the earth but rather at a minimum along the major thoroughfares and in the major cities. As the providers move to all digital they need to increase the tower density.
I can not imagine that the ranchers would not love to have a tower on their land along the highway for a lease fee. I doubt the cattle would complain as do many city neighbors. An alternative is to mount the antennas on the antelopes' racks (they frequently hang around the road perimeter).
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KnifeySpooney said:Don't knock the guy, I just think he's under the impression that Verizon should be covering every inch of every major highway...and they should in a perfect world. Like Jeff said, MAYBE in 5 years the carriers will have 90% of major thoroughfares covered.
if it was really so simple, wouldn't they have done that already?
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The problem is cell towers are VERY expensive, so cell providers usually tend to focus that money where it benefits them most...in heavily populated areas. Just putting up a cell tower is expensive, not including maintenance costs.
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Sammy, Be patient. Verizon spends in excess of 4 billion dollars on their network each year. Coverage will improve because the public expects it. Within 5 years or so the major carriers will have 90% of traveled highways covered, that is if they build out at the current pace.
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I understand it takes a huge investment of capital and time for the build out. I simply differ with the carriers as to the priorities. The carriers would prefer to invest in the cities where most of their customers reside and work (including myself). I believe it is more important to cover the roads where critical calls can be made and there are no alternatives.
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sammy2 said:Somehow I'm thinking Faith, South Dakota isn't a hub of urban activity.
I understand it takes a huge investment of capital and time for the build out. I simply differ with the carriers as to the priorities. The carriers would prefer to invest in the cities where most of their customers reside and work (including myself). I believe it is more important to cover the roads where critical calls can be made and there are no alternatives.
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