[Semper911]

see if the trapped miners had cell phones

There isn't even cell service outside in that area, let alone deep underground.

The reporters are all jonesing for their cells, and they have to use an occasional satellite phone to get a call off.

[sevenbak]

Yes there is cell service. Verizon brought in a portable tower on day 3. The satellite phones were extremely unreliable, the canyon walls are steep, so we’d lose our satellites every few minutes.