HillBilly:
There is a current belief among cell phone users that when a normal hard phone line, or landline is out (non-working) the cell phone should be working. This is not true. Cellular phones are a more complex version of a common two-way radio, or walkie-talkie. Their signal is sent from the phone to the cellular tower and then to a switching terminal, or cell and then into a telephone line. It is from this cell terminal that the name originates. In a densely populated area, cellular service companies utilize a large block of phone lines to accomplish their task. These large blocks mean the difference between working and non-working systems. In a rural or remote and less populated area fewer blocks are used and the simple fact the cellular phone will not be working is not uncommon.

Unfortunately, when a disaster strikes, such as a hurricane, or building collapse, then the loss of phone lines becomes very apparent. What systems remain (in the case of 9-11-01) become clogged or non-functional due to an increase in demand. Utility companies, by law, must provide almost continuous service and therefore must restore service as quickly as possible. Cellular services are not under the same regulations, but they try to work within the same guidelines. In fact several companies placed temporary towers in the aftermath of 9-11.

Another complicating fact is the telecommunications act of 1996. This FCC mandate simply states that all cellular providers must provide a 96-percentile coverage to any specific area. While companies strive for more than this mark, there are times coverage just is not there. When you purchase cellular service, or even phone service nobody mentions the whole story to you. If they did how many sales would they have really lost? Since it never is mentioned and because people can access phone lines with a cell phone most people naturally assume the “phone” always works.

Finally, an interesting note: Currently no cellular phone can identify itself to a 9-1-1 call center. Nor can a cellular phone give the callers exact location. Even though the technology must be in place by 2005. Some 9-1-1 call centers will not be “enhanced” enough to know a cell phones location. Hope this helps.

Take care,
Stargazer

ASAP = Always Suspicious, Always Prepared