A new cell tower

[StillHope]

Assuming that it's needed and the cell phone company is willing,what does it take to get a new cell phone tower in Puna?
Talk to Mr.Shipman?

[808blogger]

Is this to improve service in your house? do you have high speed internet?

[StillHope]

No,I don't.I know about the device.

[Carey]

Pretty sure that the Shipmans do not own a telecommunication co, (those are the ones that actually contract the install - and each cell carrier is responsible for the service they contract) but here is their homepage:
http://www.whshipman.com/

[mdd7000]

The price isn't very competitive but you should be able to get satellite internet almost anywhere on the island. TMobile is putting a new tower up in lower Nanawale starting sometime this month or the next. They are supposed to pull permits any day now. Still, that is too far from you to be of any help.

[Bob Orts]

If the cell company wants a tower, they do a site selection to figure out where they want it to go. Once the location is determined, they negotiate with the property owner to buy or lease the space. Next they get the required certification letters from the FCC (legitimate radio antenna) and the FAA (does not pose any danger to aviation).

If a radio transmission tower is by right, they apply for a Use Permit and go through the permit process like all other Use Permits. If it requires a Special Use permit, they do what is required for that.

If approved, they build. If approved with conditions, they meet the conditions and build or go back and forth until a compromise is reached. If denied they appeal.

In the end, they always have a little known stipulation in law that they can use if needed to force the County to let them build, regardless of opposition.

[StillHope]

Carey,the cell phone tower will be on someone's land.That's why I mention Shipman.

Mdd,thank you for the information.

Bob,you are the best!!!

Now,do you have your man in Verizon corporation?

[mdd7000]

You "may" be able to get Verizon to reposition one of the antenna arrays in the closest tower to you in order to get better reception. The arrays can be moved and they are quite directional. It may be a matter of only a 1-2 degree movement that improves reception for you and others around you. Play "super nice" on the phone and with some luck, you can talk to one of the tower technicians that work in your area. I have done this before and had good luck with the results, going from 0-1 bars to 2-4 bars with no new cell phone towers being added.

[DanielP]

Or get a mobile phone amplifier from Wilson Electronics.

[StillHope]

Mdd and Daniel,thank you so much!
It's actually easy to be nice to Verizon people,they are super friendly
and seem to really care.
A friend of mine on the mainland mentioned Wilson equipment (he installs it on boats).

So far I have 0 bars,but able to make some calls from 2 spots in the house where I need to "stay to attention".

But I'll never willingly leave Verizon.They are the best!