Verizon sent an email to the press refuting the "free cell on wheels tower (C0W)" reported by the Washington Post in which Verizon's spokesman Jeffry Nelson wrote:
"This story is a disgrace. The McCains went through the process that
is available to anybody who subscribes to one of these cell phone
companies to inquire about getting service...Verizon received a request [for cell
service on the ranch] from Mrs. McCain, but declined. Subsequent to
that, the Secret Service made a legitimate request for a temporary
tower for its work and Verizon complied as is required by our contract
with the agency."
Today, the Washington Post refutes Verizon's time line, noting that the permit for the permanent cell tower is still ineffect. They trace the portable tower (COW) back to the requests for a permanent tower.
An AT&T spokesman said that they would have also given a tower to Barack Obama if requested.
It appears that the reason for the towers is so that the "guests" such as Sarah Palin at the ranch could use their cell phones. Which leads us back to the same question we asked yesterday?
"Couldn't they have just installed extra landlines?
Note: From Wireless and Mobile News:
We've located a supplier of "COW's and have a call out to find out how much they cost. Some remembers seeing one at a trade show. Our guesstimate is that a COW costs at least $300,000 to buy.