Cell Company Activates New Tower

OAKLAND – C Spire Wire-less has activated a new cell site near Hwy. 32 and George Payne Cossar State Park in western Yalobusha County to improve network coverage and expand wireless voice and data services.
The new cell site will provide enhanced wireless voice and data coverage in the area between Interstate 55 and Water Valley and now means high-speed data services are available in all of the county’s communities, including Velma, Coffeeville and Bryant, which were upgraded to 3G in mid-June, according to David Smith, vice president of Network Engineering for C Spire Wireless.  
“Wireless devices are only as good as the network on which they work, which is why we’re aggressively expanding our advanced mobile broadband coverage,” Smith said.
Local business leaders and government officials praised C Spire for the decision to expand its network and invest in the economic future of Yalobusha County.
“Fast and reliable wireless coverage is not just a quality of life issue, it’s an economic development issue,” said Bob Tyler, director of the Yalobusha County Economic Development and Tourism District.  “Businesses want to locate and grow in communities where they know they can stay connected with their customers, which is why continued investment by C Spire is so critical to our success,” he added.
Yalobusha County Supervisor George Suggs said construction and activation of the latest cell site and other related work by C Spire in the area reinforces the importance of a robust wireless telecommunications infrastructure.  “C Spire’s investment in Yalobusha County is great news,” Suggs said.  “Infrastructure improvements like this are critical ingredients in our efforts to create new jobs and expand our local and regional economy and tourism.”
Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley said that the new tower was, among other factors, the result of Yalobusha County residents filling “Zap the Gap” forms with the Public Service Commission.
“It’s a big step in helping correct the lack of service in that part of Yalobusha County,” Presley said. “We appreciate the people of the county participating in the program.”
With the latest cell site addition, C Spire has invested nearly $500,000 to expand its network in Yalobusha County.