TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones

Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones

Tim@Backhome.org
Thu, 28 Jul 2005 03:40:34 -0700

hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:

> I understand the older 'bag phones' can send out a much stronger
> signal. There are plenty of fringe reception areas even in
> "developed" states all over the U.S. If one looks closely at a
> carrier's map, they'll find lots of places with the different shade to
> indicate no or limited service.

> Clearly there is a need for such higher powered phones.

> There are also those of us who have plain vanilla cell phones and
> call-plans who have no need or desire for fancy phones or services.
> Yet we are being pressured to spend our money to upgrade to stuff we
> don't want by forced obsolescence.

Those analog "heavy iron" puppies, when in an area that requires
step-up to the maximum of 3 watts became more broadcast units than
cellular units. That analog, step-up concept was developed in the
late 1970s as part of Bell Labs development of AMPS (advanced mobile
phone service). Those folks were replacing an "ancient" broadcast VHF
wireless telephone system with the technology available at the time.

Had we not gone digital, the system would have been exhausted several
years ago.

As to Cingular I don't believe they have an analog fallback option in
their system. It might be down to Verizon now and I suspect they have
plans to cut away from that, but are being held back by GM's old
analog-based OnStar system.

The problem the cattle buyer has out in the boonies is the lack of
demand for service. Small demand equals small investment in cell
sites. What someone like that probably needs is to pony up the bucks
to be on a commercial two-way system with lots of rural coverage,
somewhat like the county mounties have in Big Sky country.

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