Dead zone: Alberta hamlet lacks cell service

 CALGARY- A small Alberta community is having trouble keeping up with the times.

Madden, Alta. is located just 25 kilometers north of Calgary, yet residents can’t seem to get reception on their cell phones.

The hamlet is just on the edge of cell tower coverage areas.

“We sometimes get one bar on a phone, most of the time there’s just no service in this area,” complains resident Nelda Carter. “It’s a concern for businesses, personal use and emergency situations.”

Madden’s golf course has also suffered as a result, losing some tournament bookings because of the problem.

Residents never know if or when their phones will work, and also can’t retrieve voice mail.

“The only way we know we got a voice mail is if we leave the area and go somewhere where you get good cell service,” explains resident Ken Carter.

Telus owns the closest cell towers, but says it is too expensive to build another one to serve the area. Bell Mobility also uses Telus towers for its network.

“Madden’s actually served by three different wireless sites around the perimeter, but they’re all 16, 17, 18 kilometers away, near the end of their effective range” explains spokesperson Shawn Hall. “Madden itself is in a bit of a depression.”

The company has offered to sell its customers portable signal boosters, but residents say they don’t see why they should have to pay extra for cell service they’re already charged for.

Rogers did not respond to Global News’ requests for comment.