United Wireless is the premier coverage provider in this area now. They are aligned with Sprint but have their own network and own towers. I have not found an area that I can not get at least one bar in Southwest Kansas. If Alltel would have been putting up towers to fill in coveage areas, you wouldn't have seen a company like United get into the wireless business.

I served on the Ford County Zoning Board for 9 years. We averaged 4 to 6 new permits for cell towers each year. Ford County and othr rural areas will always be a little behind in technology. I wish Alltel would update their phones and sevices. At least around Dodge City, my Razr gets excellent reception. In large steel buildings like the public library, it is poor, but that is to be expected. My phone works in Walmart. I see plenty of others using their phones in Walmart as well. Mike Miller Mike Miller Appraisal

Alltel: we live in Hutch. An com- mute to Dodge about twice amo nth so I know the signal is bleak in some areas around here as it is in hutch area. And reading th e reviews I understand frustra- tion. But there's a thing to und- erstand Towers are going to be arrected in the populated area more than rual areas. There're are ways to help signal in rual areas.*228 send each month car kits turn small watt phones to 3watt phone. Useing a blueto oth headset instead of holding the phone. The v710 is a good phone to have in rual areas but the bad thing its been disc. But it may be replaced with the MOTO E-815

I carry my phone with Alltel and freqently travel from Cimarron to Haviland and as far down as Ashland and as far north as Hanston for my job. I have good cell reception in most places. People that want service out of town have to understand that you need to purchase a better phone. When you get a plan a lot of people go with the cheaper phones which is ok around Dodge..but you get what you pay for. ALSO try hitting *228 every month or so and upgrade ur phone with the towers.

You might as well not even try in Ashland. I have both Altel, and Cingular (roaming on another carrier). Reception is very poor at best for both, and usually non existant. I have heard residents have petitioned cell phone companies to put up towers here and it fell on deaf ears

Couldn't use my phone inside the Super Wal-Mart. Kept getting dropped calls ! Arguh! :(