Penhold Mayor Dennis Cooper is among local residents welcoming news that Telus plans a new cellphone tower to improve coverage.
Even with his latest generation Blackberry, Cooper said he can’t get a good signal at his own home.
“Unless I’m upstairs, standing by one window, my cellphone doesn’t work. I had three calls this morning, people called me and I didn’t receive the calls.”
The problem comes down to a quirk of topography. The town of about 2,500 residents was built in a dip in the landscape, which means line-of-sight cellphone signals pass over the community.
Motorists passing through the area on Hwys 2 and 2A have also complained that they lose service as they near the Penhold area, he said.
To make matters worse, many new residents in town only have cellphones and no longer use a land line, he said. “So it’s pretty frustrating for them to try to get cell coverage in our town.”
“We’re very happy that Telus recognized the need. There’s still a lot of very anxious people (waiting) to see that tower go up.”
The town has some land just northeast of its multiplex that could be leased to Telus. If that site is chosen, it would go to a public hearing so residents can offer their input.
Telus spokesman Chris Gerritsen said planning and engineering work has begun for a new 30-metre tower.
“We’re discussing a possible site in the town. We’re also looking at some other possible sites in the area,” he said.
“Basically our goal is to build a site that would maximize coverage in the area and the optimum location where it’s going to best serve our customers, Gerritsen said.
“Everything is moving forward and we’re on track and our goal is to have it completed this year.”
New towers cost in excess of $500,000 so Telus wants to ensure the best solution is found for the community’s coverage woes.
Telus spent $650 million in Alberta last year enchancing wire line and wireless service, he said.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com