Thanks to Ann Higgins for sending me a letter to the editor in the Timberjay Newspaper from the Ely, Tower, Cook area of Minnesota. The author brings up the problem of phone access. Pay phones are becoming a thing of the past due to declining use – yet, at least in NE Minnesota, cell coverage has not adequately replaced access.
The author has some advice for readers:
Contact the providers and ask for better coverage
Keep up on the technology to improve access (which he makes sounds like a part time job in itself)
There are network extenders and devices that provide cell service via DSL (where you can get DSL). You have to wonder how those technologies play into the Minnesota broadband maps. Does broadband via ($200) extender count as broadband access? Does cell access that requires DSL count?
Also it’s a good reminder of life what life without adequate access is like.
Blandin on Broadband 
Cell service is an interesting topic. I wonder what the town or county policy is for cell towers? Some places are quite restrictive. Is there coordinated planning for 800 MHz radio and cell service? Would the Range fibernet project have helped or hurt rural townships in NE MN?