North Oro Valley cell coverage gets attention | News

Residents who live in hilly Oro Valley north of Tangerine Road have complained to town government about cellular phone reception … or the inconsistency thereof.

“Ever since I’ve been here, the reception has been awful for a cell phone,” Brian Maxwell, a Rancho Vistoso resident for 16 years, told the Oro Valley Town Council in early March. “A lot of people have the same problem.”

Law enforcement and first responders have had cell reception issues of their own, reported Oro Valley Police Department Lt. Eric Larter, leader of the department’s patrol unit.

“It’s a bit of a headache,” Larter said. “It does not stop us from doing our job. It does make us less efficient.”

Town Manager Jeff Wilkins said staff has been in contact with cell service providers, identifying reception concerns and seeking remedies. But, as pointed out in a staff memo, “the town does not regulate or control the operational business practices of private telecommunications companies.”

After discussion in March, the town council directed staff to continue its engagement with wireless providers regarding coverage north of Tangerine Road “with the intent of improving it, identifying potential town-owned sites that could support telecommunication infrastructure,” and report back with options.

On April 9, a Verizon spokesperson said in email the company is “actively expanding coverage in the area.

“This includes the upcoming activation of a macro cell tower, with additional sites planned in the near future to deliver even more robust service to the community,” the spokesperson continued.

“At Verizon, we are continually monitoring our network and the communities we serve to keep up with the evolving needs of our customers,” the individual said. “Our network is not static; it is always adapting to where our customers live, work, and play.”

“It’s alarming, how many residents are concerned on the safety of this,” Councilmember Mary Murphy said at the council meeting.

“We have had a lot of residents approach the town” with complaints, Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett said.

Wilkins rejected the suggestion that town government would not allow additional cell tower permits for major carriers such as Verizon and T-Mobile.

“There is some perception we have denied facilities” for cell phone connection, Wilkins said, “and that’s just not the case.” In fact, he said, since 2007 Oro Valley has approved seven major communications facilities, and since 2016, it has OK’d 32 minor communications facilities, he said. No permits have been denied.

Town staff had contacted Verizon “to address reports of spotty coverage within town areas,” the staff report said. Verizon initially said coverage levels were acceptable.

Then, OVPD reported cellular coverage issues near Moore Road. Town staff again reached out to Verizon, which reviewed antenna configurations and identified issues with a tower. The company undertook remediation … but would not provide details regarding future infrastructure plans.

Later, the town report said, staff asked to meet with Verizon to discuss “potential tower placement and coverage improvements.” Verizon responded that it would require the town to sign a nondisclosure agreement before the company would share information. The town did not enter such an agreement, and no further conversation occurred.

A request for information “might engage” cell service providers, Wilkins said. “That may be the most concrete action we can take. We have to be careful about picking winners and losers.”

“We have demand here,” Barrett said. “It’s not picking winners and losers, it’s up to them.”

“What is the scope of this coverage problem?” Mayor Joe Winfield asked.

Over the last six months, “several officers on patrol have reported problems with communications” north of Tangerine Road, OVPD’s Larter said. Lapses of “30 seconds to a minute” can be critical in emergency situations, he emphasized.

“Can we focus on the public safety aspect of that?” Barrett asked.

“We can go that route,” Chief Kara Riley said.

Larter said the Golder Ranch Fire District “would welcome any ability to enhance cell phone coverage” in north Oro Valley.

If infrastructure is improved, residents and business might experience improved call reliability, fewer dropped calls, enhanced data speeds and overall mobile service, plus greater public safety resilience through improved first responder connectivity, staff said.

“It seems to me we need quantitative” information and the ability to “locate the sources of the problem,” Councilmember Dr. Harry “Mo” Greene II said. “Without that data, you’re just kind of floundering around.”

“I understand the town of Oro Valley doesn’t install cell towers,” resident Maxwell said. “I’m just one customer, and I’m not getting anywhere. If we as a town could continue to poke at them until we get some help, that could make a difference.”