Wireless Coverage Conundrum
Andrew Seybold’s latest Commentary 4Mobility presents a great overview of the challenges faced by US wireless operators to improve their network coverage. As wireless voice prices plummet subscribers are using their phones more and want better coverage. Ironically, many of the same people who are crying for improved coverage are the same people who are fighting installation of towers in their neighborhoods. Seybold mentions one plan to get around this problem:”In one city (which shall remain nameless to protect the stupid), they were about to pass legislation that all cell sites had to be built underground, including the antennas!” The wireless industry needs to do a better job of educating subcribers and local governments about how networks work and enlist them in the process of improving coverage.
