Local Verizon customers who have experienced incomplete calls prompting an "all circuits are busy" message in recent weeks may have to wait until 2010 for a full solution to their cellular problems.
As Verizon Wireless does not currently provide direct service in the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County or the surrounding five counties, its customers roam on the Alltel network, making it difficult for Verizon to solve its customers' concerns. Verizon spokesperson John Johnson explained that Verizon does not directly manage the Alltel network, so until Verizon has its own network in Charlottesville, residents will continue to rely on the Alltel network for service.
"We're not free to invest in the network that is currently providing the service," he said.
According to Alltel spokesperson Andrew Moreau, an equipment upgrade in July and August could be the cause of recent disruptions in Verizon service, though he noted that his company has not received any feedback from Verizon or its customers about disruptions.
Johnson said Verizon has wanted to serve the Charlottesville market since its formation in 2000. Previously existing licenses, however, prevented Verizon from breaking into the market. With the purchase of a license from another provider in February 2006, Verizon is currently looking to complete a Charlottesville network by 2010, he said.
"So many students come from Northern Virginia and places served directly by Verizon Wireless," Johnson said. "I would not be surprised to find that a lot of the student body, being from outside the Charlottesville area, is roaming on another carrier's network if they are Verizon Wireless customers. We've long recognized that [Charlottesville] is an important market for us, and we want to serve it directly."
The University does not have any agreements designating a preferred cellular provider for its students, though some officials offer suggestions to incoming students who ask for advice.
"Talk to your friends who live near you and see what they use and are happy with," said James Jokl, Information Technology and Communication director of communications and systems. "The best source of data is your friends who live and work in the same places that you do."
Students experiencing these problems have found these disruptions an inconvenience, especially during the hectic move-in period.
"I've had no problem calling Verizon people from outside of the area or people with other providers [locally]," fourth-year Engineering student Eric Bradbury said. "It's just frustrating while trying to move in that all of my roommates are Verizon customers"
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