The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
MTS has delayed plans to bring digital cellular service to Flin Flon until the end of September. The company originally announced the service, which provides cell phone users with a clearer and stronger signal, would be in place by the end of June. But when a superior location for the cellular equipment became available, MTS did not pass up the opportunity, even though it meant a three-month delay. "It will provide wider service than the original location would have," said spokesperson Melanie Lockhart, who could not disclose the new location. Aside from a clearer signal, the upgraded service will allow residents to use newer cell phone features like text messaging and camera phones, which are fast increasing in popularity. Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce President Doug O'Brien is pleased the upgrade, scheduled to be completed by Sept. 30, is on the way. "I think it's a positive thing," he said. "Anything that we can add to our area to service the residents has got to be positive." MTS brought digital cell coverage to Thompson in March and The Pas in June. The total cost of bringing the service to those communities and Flin Flon will be about $625,000. Features available to digital cellular customers include the MobileBrowser, which allows users to browse the Internet from a cell phone. Also available is the Two-Way Short Message Service for sending and receiving text messages; and Data to Go solutions, which permits users to connect their cell phone to a laptop to access the Internet. As well, the new service allows use of Picture Messaging service when using a camera phone.
