Cell tower helps campus service

"No service" is never a desired screen saver on any student's cell phone.

But Cingular Wireless' new tower on top of Greenlaw Hall, activated Friday, is helping users receive higher quality service and avoid coverage problems.

"I've never had problems with Cingular," said junior Truc Doan. "I guess I can tell that my service is a little stronger now near the area."

The installation is a result of the strong demand for quality Cingular service in the area through the Carolina Wireless Initiative, a plan offered to students that started in early June.

"We wanted to increase the capacity of our network and coverage where it would benefit the most customers," said Dawn Benton, Cingular's regional public relations manager.

Through the initiative, UNC students are eligible for discounts on the latest phones and two special national plans.

Students can subscribe to plans with 5,000 night and weekend minutes in addition to the usual 450 or 600 anytime minutes. Text messaging and Internet access, which otherwise cost $20, are free on each plan.

The plans also include mobile-to-mobile calling, voice mail and caller ID - without roaming or long-distance charges.

"We have such a great and unique relationship with UNC," said Benton.

The Cingular contract is part of a partnership between the University and BellSouth Communications, and is the only of its type in North Carolina. The initiative was created to enhance the educational experience of students through telecommunications services.

"Cingular was allowed to place their antenna on campus because of this initiative," said Steve Harward, UNC's director of telecommunications.

"While other carriers serve the area, Cingular is the only one with a site on a campus building."

Cingular placed the tower on top of Greenlaw to provide more service for the northern portion of campus.

"It serves as a transitional point between the other existing towers," Harward said.

There are two other Cingular sites in the area, one located on the Bank of America building on Franklin Street.

University telecommunication officials collaborated with Cingular to place the new antenna at the location where it would be most valuable.

"We looked at their coverage maps to see how and where we could reach the areas of higher densities of usage," Harward said.

The site also will improve coverage in area buildings, Benton said.

In the near future, Cingular officials said, they hope to establish towers to improve coverage on the eastern side of campus.

"With so many students using phones these days, it's important for us to improve the quality and capacity of our service where it is needed most," Benton said.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.