New cell phone tower

[jb426]

I hear it's up and running. Have seasonal camper in eagle point campground. Wondering if cell works now. I have tmobile, no reception at campground but worked some places on the lake last summer. Any feed back on reception would be great. Thanks.

[knoppers]

my phone worked great in the fishermans bay bar, I also have t-mobile. if your phone is older, it may not get a signal, since t-mobile partnered with cell one 2-3 years ago. my phone switches over to cell one when I get north of aitkin, good reception all over the area.

[Bigbartguy]

I've got Verizon and it's spectacular up there now. Used to get spotty 1 bar at the cabin, now I'm getting 3 or 4. I think cell service even works at Pier, which was one of the worst areas;

[PierBridge]

 Originally Posted By: Bigbartguy

I've got Verizon and it's spectacular up there now. Used to get spotty 1 bar at the cabin, now I'm getting 3 or 4. I think cell service even works at Pier, which was one of the worst areas;

Me Too....and Yes Pier's Phone works at the Pier!

Heck even Sprint works up there now..LOL

[HUNTFISH69]

Anyone know if t-mobile works in the outing area with the new tower, we have a cabin up there and i get spotty reception. Verizon gets full service but thats about it.

[eyemaster]

where did they put the new tower at?

[UdeLakeTom]

2007 1:00:00 PM Email this article • Print this article

Cell phone tower for Big Sandy

Wayne Alden and Dave Tjosvold have invested in a new cellular phone tower for the Big Sandy area.

It is being installed this week on the Jacobs property, on the south side of CSAH 14 near the Shamrock Cafe.

It will be 324 feet tall and they can enter into contracts with up to five cell phone providers.

The first contract signed is with RCC, or Cell 2000 that was bought by Verizon.

They intend to sign a contract with Cell 1/Cingular, which was purchased by AT & T.

"We're sure others will come on board," said Tjosvold.

[UdeLakeTom]

The new cell phone tower serving the McGregor/Big Sandy areas is up and working. I called a few people who live on Big Sandy Lake to ask specifically if they have noticed an improvement in their cell phone service. Everyone I spoke with said it has made a positive difference.

One woman, who lives on Bridge Road, said that she used to have to drive out to Hwy. 65 before she could use her cell phone. Another individual, who lives right by the tower, said that she was always able to use her phone from her home, but there are more bars since the tower went up. The cell phones they use are by several different providers.

Probably the most enthusiastic response came from Mary Streeter, who lives on Bridge Road and works at Willey's Marine. She said it has helped in her personal use of her cell phone, but that it has improved communication at Willey's "Big time!" She took a quick poll of the workers: Todd Streeter, David and Matt Muirhead, Jerry Hoover and Kevin Anderson, and said their comments ranged from "much better" to "huge improvement."

Chris Johnson, their dock person, has been able to call the office from anyplace on Big Sandy or Lake Minnewawa. Before, when his cell phone didn't work in some areas, he would have to drive back to the office to communicate. Anderson, who is a first responder and is a volunteer for the McGregor Area Ambulance, said it has made a huge difference to people who did not have a land line and had to rely on their cell phone in an emergency.

Dave Tjosvold and Wayne Alden were the original investors. I put a call in to them but had not received a response by press time. The tower was erected near the old Shamrock Store, on private land. Providers such as Cell One and Unicel or Verizon may enter into agreements with the private owners to lease space on the tower.

[PierBridge]

Thanks..... I'm assuming Verizon is using the tower already since my Cell works perfectly everywhere now!