Reliable cell service vital for Ocean Pines

Some cell phone service is better than no cell phone service, which is what many Ocean Pines residents frequently encounter when they try to use their mobile phones in and around the community.

For reasons understood best by scientists, engineering types and experts in wireless communications, Ocean Pines all too often finds itself sealed off from the rest of the world because of a weak or nonexistent cellular signal.

One of the suspected causes of the muffled signal, ironically, is the abundance of the tall pines for which the community is named. According to the tech book, “Wireless Crash Course,” by Paul Bedell, pine needles are excellent at absorbing wireless signals, especially when they’re wet.

Obviously, the pine trees aren’t going anywhere. Just as apparent is the need for reliable cell service for as many people as possible. Consequently, the only solution is to find a site that offers the least interference and build on it a tower that rises above the trees.

That’s what Milestone Towers proposes to do, as will be discussed during a virtual (as in via the internet) town hall meeting Monday, from 6 t0 7:30 p.m.

Even though this session is billed as a Q&A opportunity, the critical questions shouldn’t be about whether to proceed with erecting the tower, but should concern how well it will work and how quickly its construction can be accomplished.

As Police Chief Tim Robinson has said numerous times, cell phone coverage ceased being a matter of convenience years ago and is now the preferred means of telecommunications. More importantly, as he has also asserted repeatedly and strenuously, it’s a lifeline when emergencies arise.

Erecting this tower will not destroy Ocean Pine’s sylvan surroundings, and even if it won’t offer improved communications in every section of the community, most residents will benefit from what has become an essential part of modern life.