The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Money

May 2, 2009

U.S. Cellular adds four new towers

By Fred Pace

In a continuing effort to expand its network in southern West Virginia, U.S. Cellular recently activated additional cell sites in Caldwell, Ravenseye, Jumping Branch and Shady Spring, according to company officials.

These sites complement the statewide network of more than 130 U.S. Cellular towers. With these new sites, U.S. Cellular customers will experience increased coverage and capacity in the Beckley, Fayetteville, Hinton, Lewisburg and Oak Hill areas, according to Dee Taylor, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-Atlantic.

Three of these new cell sites, Caldwell, Jumping Branch and Shady Spring, were built with support from the federal Universal Service Fund that is designed to ensure that rural communities have access to wireless service, Taylor added.

The Caldwell site will greatly enhance overage along 1-64 and U.S. 60 and will fill in coverage between the intersection of U.S. 60 and Harts Run Road, according to Taylor.

“Residents in the Dry Creek valley will have new and market improved in-building coverage, and will find increased overage for several miles to the Greenbrier Mountaineer Campgrounds and the Harts Run Camping Area,” she said.

Taylor says the Ravenseye site will help continue and improve performance on U.S. 60 west of Rainelle and east of Hico and to surrounding area local businesses and residential areas.

“The new site in Jumping Branch will provide both Jumping Branch and White Oak with new and greatly enhanced coverage,” said Taylor. “Customers in this area will notice a dramatic improvement in their service along state Route 3 from White Oak through Jumping Branch, on to Nimitz and along local roads.”

Taylor said the Shady Spring site will fill in coverage along 1-77 and in Shady Spring, Cool Ridge and Blue Jay.

“This new service will impact several hundred residences and businesses alike, including service along the Beaver Creek and Cherry Creek areas,” she said.

To learn more about the company visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com.

(Pace is a reporter for

The Register-Herald.)

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com

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