Problems with spotty cellphone reception in Penhold should be resolved in 2012, after Telus announced last week its commitment to find a location to construct a tower in town this year.
"We are committed to doing it in 2012, it's just a matter of finding the best place to build it," said spokesperson Shawn Hall.
A letter campaign kicked off last August after council was irked by complaints of continued dropped calls. Mayor Dennis Cooper said because the town is in a bit of a dip, reception goes over the town.
He said the news that Telus is looking to get a tower is welcomed.
"They're planning on building a 150-foot tower and that'll correct our deficiencies especially our cellphones in our town, so we're really happy with Telus," said Cooper. He added a possible site for the tower lies behind the multiplex, in the northeast corner close to the highway, where crews could get in and out easily. He said discussions around a lease with Telus to use the town-owned land could extend 20 years.
Hall said a lease has yet to be signed and Telus is still waiting to search all possible locations.
"I understand we are discussing that with the (town) and that we are also looking at some other sites there Ö we'd be looking at a site that would maximize coverage in the area, something fairly central. It's a small enough town one site would be able to cover most of the area."
He said engineering views would have to be done to make sure there weren't any rocky outcrops or anything that would weaken a signal.
"We want to find the best possible site that gives us the best coverage in the area." He said a new tower would cost the company anywhere between a half million and two million dollars.
