Tiny Louisiana Community (Finally) Gets Telephone Service

AP ^ | 1/30/05

[Brian328i]

"We started in early 1970 trying to get a phone," Bolton said. "We'd talk to the phone company but they'd never call back. ...
Oh really huh?

[Political Junkie Too]

Gov. Kathleen Blanco plans to call 83-year-old Mink resident Alma Louise Bolton from Baton Rouge to mark the occasion...

The second caller was a telemarketer selling credit cards.

-PJ

[CT CONSERVATIVE]

SNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Mark]

Oh, somebody has got to say it.

Can you hear me now?

[sittnick]

In 1970, I could understand. But wouldn't it have been cheaper to put up a cell tower and give everyone fre cell phones?

[konaice]

A cell tower would have been a quarter of the cost...

[ikka]

BellSouth Corp. has spent $700,000 - or about $47,000 per phone - to extend about 30 miles of cable through thick forests to Mink, about 100 miles south of Shreveport. All phone customers in the state will cover the cost through a small monthly charge on their bills.

The stupidity of the phone company comes thru loud and clear. Microwave transmission is used all over the place in Louisiana. Two small towers, one at each end, plus $20K in equipment and the problem would have been solved. Then again, it's not BellSouth's money - everyone in the state is paying for it.

[Emmett McCarthy]

So now residents can call "Uncle Daddy" to tell him which one of their cousins they're planning to marry?

[Blue Collar Christian]

They don't know how good they had it...

[KidGlock]

In 1970, I could understand. But wouldn't it have been cheaper to put up a cell tower and give everyone free cell phones?

Dateline 2035: Small community finally gets dial up internet.

[libertyman]

Do they have running water yet????

[bert]

SBC announced the purchase of AT&T

[bad company]

We'd talk to the phone company but they'd never call back

Well, you didn't have a phone son. They couldn't call you back.

[Unknown Freeper]

Don't anybody tell them about high-speed. They'll be thrilled with the dial-up for at least another twenty years. lol.

As others have stated, why couldn't they just have put up the towers and given them cell phones? And another thing, it says the other residents of the state "will be paying" for this. Haven't people been getting taxed/charged for things like this for years?

[Yak]

The stupidity of the phone company comes thru loud and clear.

Not really . . . no rational manager would spend this kind of money for this little payoff without the influence n of . . . you guessed it . . . the GOVERNMENT. The Louisana PUC certainly had an influence here, and the local Telcos still must answer to state and federal commissions. Plus, like ikka said, it isn't Bell South's $$$, the ratepayers will be footing the bill.

[rawhide]

Well, I am sure some people in a few years, will probably look upon yesterday, when there was no phone service, to being the good old days. Phone service will change a lot things, some good, some bad.

[honest2God]

Anyone who's had to deal with phone companies know that it is their policy to hire the most inept people possible and provide service in the most inefficient way imaginable.

[chemicalman]

BellSouth Corp. has spent $700,000 - or about $47,000 per phone - to extend about 30 miles of cable through thick forests to Mink, about 100 miles south of Shreveport. All phone customers in the state will cover the cost through a small monthly charge on their bills.

Bullshiet... They say it costs that much so they can charge the customers more for their profit. Really doubt it costs 700k.