Verizon Wireless has secured a license to provide cellular service for the Athens County area and is investigating locations for cell towers.
Verizon secured a license last year to build a cell site in the area and is looking for places to build the sites, said Verizon Wireless spokesperson Laura Merritt. Verizon does not know when it will be able to begin providing service, she added.
We began the process once we acquired a license
Merritt said. It is something that does take a while.
Verizon has been talking to Athens residents about building the towers and approached the Athens County commissioners seeking input.
Athens County Commissioner Mark Sullivan said the commissioners know there is a need for reliable cellular service in the county, but they didn't want any towers built to be intrusive to the landscape, said Athens County Commissioner Mark Sullivan.
We know there is a need for communication in the county but there are other concerns he said.
Tourism is a big source of income for the county, and the commissioners don't want any towers built to depreciate the beauty that tourists come to see, Sullivan said.
Verizon has long recognized the need for service in Athens County because of the large number of Verizon customers in the area, Merritt said.
Verizon has a roaming partnership with Alltel, one of the two service providers in the area. This allows Verizon customers to use their phones through Alltel's network.
Alltel has 10 cell towers and has been operating in Athens County for the past 14 years, said Alltel spokesperson, Erin Ascione.
The only other cellular service provider in the area is Cingular Wireless.
Students who have Verizon Wireless service said they were relieved to know Verizon will begin providing service in the area.
Thank you
God
said Dia Dalski, a sophomore journalism major. I almost sent my phone home with my roommate just to update it.
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