Cell phone service interrupted

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Nov. 23, 2002
It was unclear exactly what the problem was, but many cell phone users reported service problems Friday night.
The problem prevented calls from coming into the Lauderdale County CrimeStoppers for at least three hours, between 5:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
Maj. Ward Calhoun of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department said no cell phone towers were physically down, but one or more towers were not working. He said he did not know if the problem originated with one cell phone company or with several companies.
Calhoun could use the CrimeStoppers cell phone to call out, but could not receive calls.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie said most deputies use Cingular Wireless cell phone service.
He said deputies are usually instructed to make phone calls through radio dispatches.
Cingular Wireless sale manager David Burns, reached at home Friday night, said he had not received any reports about service problems.