Cell phone reception improved

Some students at BVU may notice improved cell phone reception in areas of the Forum where it had previously been poor. Several indoor antennas and amplifiers were installed at the end of April likely contributing to the improved reception. According to Matt Morton, director of information services, the antennas and amplifiers are hanging underground in the Forum itself with the receiver located on the surface.

"Since we get a lot of conferences visiting campus and all of the students have cell phones, we think it's just one convenience to be able to have reception available to the visitors along with the students," Morton said.

Students who signed up to get text messages via BVU Alert are now able to receive them right away if they are in the Forum instead of waiting until they get into an area with service.

"This is also another safety measure the university has decided to take because we feel there should be phone service available anywhere on campus whenever it is needed," Morton said.

The cost of the new tower has been covered by the university's emergency management account with some help from the technology budget.

"Everyone has seen an improvement, but some phones will only see a little change while others will see a world of difference," Morton said.

Owners of Verizon phones, which now also own Altell, should be able to see a massive increase in reception while in the servery and other areas of the Forum.

"I have Alltel phone service, and I have noticed a drastic increase in my reception while I am underground," sophomore Jenny Kunz said.