Verizon service to be restored this Friday

By Michael Buhler
Sun editor

Like many Glen Arborites, Molly Melin is frustrated. Earlier this week her Verizon Wireless cell phone went from full strength to “no service.” She’s been hampered without phone service, data connections, and text messages. Luckily, this Friday will see service restored.

The origin of the disruption dates back to last summer, when Verizon purchased cell carrier Alltel. As part of the purchase the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ordered Verizon to sell their current Leelanau County towers, including the one in Glen Arbor Township. AT&T purchased the tower, with the intention of abandoning it. They had agreed to keep it online until June 21, and Verizon had hoped to have a new site operating by then. “Unfortunately, we ran into a number of small delays,” says Verizon spokesperson Michelle Gilbert.

“We have been working for several months to get the new site running, but the delays held us back. I’m truly sorry for the disruption to our Verizon customers,” adds Michelle. She said she’s been promised by their technicians that service will return on Friday, July 1. “Please assure your readers that we pride ourselves on our excellent coverage, and we are working around the clock to get their service restored.”

A noontime inspection of the tower behind the Fire Station saw several workers wiring the new antennas, and they verified that barring any equipment failures, the site will go live by Friday.

Local resident Fred Missad was riding his bike to visit a friend at noon. He has Verizon and so does his friend, “so the only way we can talk right now is in person.”

Perhaps there is a silver lining to this tale.

AT&T did not return phone calls placed on their network.