May 12, 2001 — Residents of St. John’s east end are circulating two petitions calling for improved service from cellular phone providers.
"Many areas of St. John ae not covered by cellular phone service," said Craig Barshinger, who is spearheading the petition drive that has garnered 72 signartures. "The major unserved areas are the entire eastern half of St. John as well as all valleys that do not face St. Thomas."
In one petition placed at Connections in Cruz Bay, 18 residents indicated interest in a company that would provide full coverage. In Coral Bay there were 45 supporters.
VitelCellular/Innovative provides no service to St. John's eastern half while Cellular One/Cingular uses old equipment that does not support reliable communications, Barshinger said. Following numerous attempts to solicit a response to Barshinger's claim neither company returned phone calls.
Mary-Ann Geovanna, an east-end resident and cell phone owner, said she was told by Cingular management that because the repeater on Mammy Peak is down there is no service.
"Years ago it worked all the time," Geovanna said. "So well in fact, I used to run up $300 monthly bills. Now I intermittently receive calls."
If Mammy Point doesn't work, Marla McClung, owner of Caribbean Canvas in Coral Bay, suggested putting equipment on Bordeaux Mountain, the highest elevation on the island.
Cellular service is definitely needed in cases of emergencies, added Dan McClung.
Barshinger said that in 1995 his cell phone was a "godsend" when he was hit by a car while on his motorcycle.
"Luckily I was in sight line of St. Thomas and was able to reach an ambulance. If the accident happened in a radio-shadowed area I would have been a goner," he said.
Many in the Coral Bay area have been told that the repeater on Mammy Peak is in a state of disrepair and the limited market on the eastern end doesn't justify fixing the signal. Barshinger with his petition drive insist there is a market if only the companies would recognize and respond to it.