Community Corner
Improved Cell Phone Reception in Altadena?
If you get your exercise running up and down the street in search of a wireless signal, you might need a new workout.
AT&T announced today that it has completed a network enhancement to “add new layers of frequency, also known as ‘carriers,’” to several cell sites throughout Altadena, including one near Altadena Golf Course. The sites will increase mobile broadband capacity and data speed, according to Elizabeth Valles of AT&T.
Metro PCS, the latest cell phone provider to enter the Altadena market, has also been engaged in a build-out, installing “distributed antenna telecommunication facilities,” on existing utility poles. The antenna system will provide enhanced voice and data-collection for their customers, according to Sonny Nunez, government relations manager. About ten such facilities (inside those brown boxes perched on utility poles) have already been installed in Altadena.
Though the PCS build-out supports only their own customers on a daily basis, it should also benefit Altadena in times of emergency. Nunez said that 911 calls made from the area, regardless of cell phone provider, will automatically route through their system for improved reception and data collection.
