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Message |
    
Joel de la Fuente
Citizen
Username: Jdlf
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 11:51 pm: | 
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Hello,
This is my first posting, so forgive me if this has been a previously discussed topic.
My wife and daughter and I just moved into Maplewood last week, and to our chagrin, cannot receive cellphone coverage in our house. We were surprised that this was the case throughout Maplewood and were told by friendly teenagers that this is the result of zoning laws prohibiting cell towers in the area. They also mentioned that this was an issue that was being hotly debated.
Any response on the validity of that info and where I could find out more and/or express an opinion to the powers that be?
Thanks so much for any info.
All things considered, this issue is nothing compared to all the wonderful things about this beautiful place. It's great to be here!
Joel
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AZ
Citizen
Username: Azaltsman
Post Number: 180
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 8:05 am: |
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I have Sprint PCS and had Verizon Wireless and both worked in my house. It may have to do with where your house is geographically. For example, both Verizon and Sprint don't have coverage for a small portion of South Orange when you go up the hill on South Orange Ave toward Livingston. |
-af
Citizen
Username: Java_drinker
Post Number: 276
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 9:56 am: |
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I have had no luck with Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile or Cingular. But Verizon and Nextel seem to work fine. |
us2innj
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 819
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 10:43 am: |
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We have heard about no service situations most often with AT&T. Friends of ours had no home service in the Elmwood Avenue area. I could not get a signal on Springfield Avenue near Yale.
We now have Sprint and haven't found too many dead zones locally.
We have two cell phones and share 4000 prime time minutes a month for about $75. We get unlimited nights (after 9PM) and weekends included in the plan. |
AWood
Citizen
Username: Awood228
Post Number: 2
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 11:30 am: |
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We live in an apartment in Mplwd Village and it is nearly impossible to get cell signal (we have AT&T wireless but visitors w/ other carriers also have problems). We just figured it was the proximity to the train station, but the lack of cell towers probably doesn't help. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 107
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 1:33 pm: |
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I switched from Sprint PCS to Verizon when we moved here from Manhattan last year. I find no noticeable difference in coverage in Maplewood, but i experience far fewer dropped calls now, plus i now get a signal in Penn Station and all the way through the tunnel to NJ, which was a dealbreaker.
The teenagers might've been referring to the tower that Verizon had planned to build on the golf course in Maplewood. It was a hot topic this past winter, but i didn't follow the discussions here closely enough to learn whether or not there was any resolution. I'm sure someone else can provide more insight.
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Joel de la Fuente
Citizen
Username: Jdlf
Post Number: 2
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 12:15 am: |
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Thanks for all the responses.
We live on Bowdoin, just off Springfield, and use Sprint PCS with extremely limited results. We have had friends with Verizon over who sometimes get great coverage which suddenly drops off completely.
Regarding the cell tower, would it be of benefit to more than one carrier, or just the one that built it? I have no idea how that stuff works. I'm wondering if it is mentioned anywhere where there are minutes of town hall meetings or something?
Thanks.
Joel |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3312
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 4:17 am: |
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If Verizon builds the cell tower they will probably lease space to other carriers.
The tower is planned to be built in the valley next to the river. I doubt that the tower will improve service in College Hill, although I ain't no telecommunications engineer.
A question; why use your cell phone at home? Isn't using the land line cheaper and in the end, cell tower or no cell tower, more reiiable?
I am not a cell phone fan, although I use one when traveling or out of the office. My feelings on the subject are best summed up by a T-shirt a coworker got for his 50th birthday that read:
TURNED 50!
NO CELL PHONE!
NO BEEPEr!
 |
Musetta
Citizen
Username: Musetta
Post Number: 12
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 7:27 am: |
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Why use a cell phone at home? Well...we just closed on a house Monday night...and Verizon cannot/will not set up local phone service until next week! We were there all day yesterday painting and my poor husband was having a heart attack - he SWORE to everyone at work that he was taking the day off, but would be reachable by phone at all times...oops ;-) We are also still in the process of selling our previous home - very frustrating not to have a phone!
BTW, we have AT&T. I DID discover, however, that if I walk four houses down and stand on the sidewalk in front of my neighbor's house, the service it terrific! :-) They probably think I'm nuts by now.
Glad to read this thread...I was wondering if it was just an AT&T problem. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3313
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 7:46 am: |
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Musetta, obviously a special circumstance, although the image of someone up to his elbows in paint using a cell phone to discuss the hog belly market (or whatever) is kinda amusing. What would happen if he dropped it in the bucket?
My sister in law, who lives on Staten Island and has Sprint, can only get service by standing in the corner of her dining room. I don't think coverage problems are unique to Maplewood. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 73
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 8:25 am: |
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BOBK: I don't have a home phone. For the amount of long distance calls, voice mail, caller ID, I need, cell phones work out to be cheaper.
One added plus, telemarketers are very carefull not to call cell phones. |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 355
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 8:46 am: |
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There are dead spots for Verizon phone coverage around Tuscan school as well. I live near the Municipal Building and coverage from home is pretty good. From the middle of Maplewood Village, not so good. |
AWood
Citizen
Username: Awood228
Post Number: 4
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 9:43 am: |
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Like Brett, we use our cell phones to make long distance calls b/c it's cheaper and easier. We just have to stand in one exact spot in our apartment to do so.  |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 74
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 10:01 am: |
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Awood: What do you do if you have to get something while you’re on the phone? Put the phone on the floor in that spot, get what you need and then go back and pick up the phone? That’s funny.
Gaslight Commons has good reception. When I looked at the place I was walking around inside with a friend talking on the cell phone to make sure it worked. Even works in the shower.
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