Hello to everyone!
I seem to recall a controversy regarding the construction of a cell phone tower east of Ely. Now that tripping season is upon us, I am wondering:
a. is it the unsightly scar that some feared?
b. has it affected coverage in the Q?
Especially for solo trippers, if there is cell coverage in a portion of the southern part of the park it may alleviate the desire/need to take a SPOT or sat phone. I don't mean to start a heated discussion on the virtues of taking a electronics on a canoe trip. Just wondering if this year's trippers can shed some light on the development.
Thanks to all in advance.
WiF

I can't be sure but I was surprised that I had nearly all bars on a trip last fall from Farm to eastern end of Bald Eagle. I was tempted to take my phone and shall resist strenuously in the future. I think I got a glimpse of it once - maybe from Farm if that is possible - but really didn't care. Curious to see if it reaches Moose and PP.

I have a friend that lives in Sudan. The coverage in the BWCA is better than at his house. He is not at all happy with the tower.

Last Fall I was able to call home from Moose Lake for the first time.  By the time we got to Ensign Lake I was unable to call out.  This Spring I was unable to call out from Moose Lake and was almost back to Ely before I could use my phone.  I have T-Mobile service and I believe the tower is AT&T. 

Does the tower blink all night and destroy all night time peace and tranquility... ??...is every thing now ...changed forever? Can you stand outside at night and not feel it?   ...,can the plants and animals feel it...    ?

Gordy wrote on Jun 10^th, 2014 at 8:24pm:

Last Fall I was able to call home from Moose Lake for the first time.  By the time we got to Ensign Lake I was unable to call out.  This Spring I was unable to call out from Moose Lake and was almost back to Ely before I could use my phone.  I have T-Mobile service and I believe the tower is AT&T.

I have T-Mobile but had great service from AT&T tower - not too surprising since these are only two in US using gsm.  Maybe your plan?

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Thanks to everyone for the updates. I had/have my doubts about the compatibility of the cell tower in that environment. But I also understand the desire of the local residents to use their cellphones for convenience, emergencies, etc. I am wondering if there is coverage enough into at least some of the southern Q that would make a sat phone or SPOT unnecessary for a solo paddler. Hopefully people will add to this thread during the summer.
Thanks again to all.
WiF

Check out at&t map since they seem to have the towers there. Based on my trip last fall - last time I ever take a cell phone BTW - it seems pretty accurate.

Bill,  I think the coverage shown on the ATT map is a bit optimistic.  All of Basswood US side is coverage indicated (which may be).  However it also shows segmented coverage over much of LacLaCroix, of which I am skeptical.  What they publish as "moderate" signal might not be what could be depended upon.

-YB

Perhaps - but I had 3 to 5 bars of at least 3G if not LTE at east end and all along Bald Eagle, I think the whole route from Farm. When did Fernberg Road tower come online? Hasn't been a year has it?