MTA erects new cellular tower

MAT-SU -- Matanuska Telephone Association this week announced it has constructed a new cellular tower between Knik-Goose Bay Road and the Parks Highway in Wasilla.

The site, known as the Aklestad Site, is named after Ron Aklestad, an MTA employee who recently passed away.

The tower will serve the busiest portion of the Wasilla business district with increased capacity and will provide increased coverage along the Parks Highway west from downtown Wasilla, and along the northern portions of Knik-Goose Bay Road.

MTA Wireless customers will also receive coverage at the new Wasilla Multi-use Sports Complex, Lucille Creek Trailhead, Lake Lucille Inn, Wasilla Airport, transportation museum and off the highways in nearby subdivisions.

"Cell sites can only service so many calls, and those areas needed some boosting," said Jacqueline Whitstine, MTA public relations manager.

In the coming months, MTA will deploy wireless data throughout the entire Mat-Su Borough as well as providing digital cellular technology to the rest of the borough. Digital technology allows wireless cell phone users to take pictures, send e-mail and surf the Web. Currently, two-thirds of the borough has access to digital services, with the rest of the borough expected to have access by the end of the year.

"This is an important service because our area is growing and the use of technology is growing and it's important to deliver these advanced services," Whitstine said. "Life is changing and we have to keep up."

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.