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Still No Verizon Cell Phone Service in Prince Rupert
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Based on what we were told, the 2007 Waggoner predicted cell phone coverage for U.S. Verizon customers would be restored in Prince Rupert by the beginning of the summer boating season. The following e-mail prompted us to call the CityWest cell phone coordinator in Prince Rupert for the latest news, which wasn’t what we wanted to hear. Here’s the e-mail that led to our call, and our response.
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April 20, 2007
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Bob,
We bought a new 2007 Waggoner yesterday to have on board for our trip to AK this summer. I looked through it last night and noticed an article with directions for updating a Verizon cell phone so it will work in Prince Rupert. I know Verizon hasn't worked in Rupert on previous trips. As I recall, the article said we need to dial per the instructions from the U.S. to update the phone’s roaming memory. Unfortunately I left the Waggoner on the boat in Anacortes this morning when we drove home to Vancouver, WA. I tried Verizon's web site but can't seem to find the instructions. Could you please send the instructions in the article for updating Verizon phones to work in Rupert.
Thanks,
Don Alm
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Response
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Don,
No hurry on updating your phone. I just spoke with the Serina Repole, the cellular coordinator at CityWest in Prince Rupert, and she told me that despite repeated requests, Verizon hasn’t changed its Preferred Roaming List to include CityWest. The situation at this moment is unchanged from last summer. (Interestingly, my ancient Verizon cell phone works in Prince Rupert. Apparently, it’s the newer ones that don’t.)
Serina says they’re working on it, and they’d better. In addition to pleasure boat visitors, the cruise ship season is only a month away, and the new containership terminal, set to begin operation by this summer, will need Verizon cell phone service for personnel visiting from the U.S.
Meanwhile, here’s the update procedure once the problem is solved:
- From inside the U.S., dial *228 on your Verizon cell phone and press Send. You must make this call from inside the U.S. You will be connected to a recording with menu options.
- Press Option 2 to update roaming. Music will play for approximately 1 minute as the Preferred Roaming List in you phone is updated.
- When the music ends, wait until you hear 3 beeps. Then press End. The update will be complete.
We’ll stay in touch with Serina Repole at CityWest and post updates on www.waggonerguide.com. Boaters also are encouraged to call her at (250)627-0959. Note that CityWest is tied in with Telus in Canada, which is tied in with Verizon in the U.S. Even when the Verizon problem is solved, AT&T, Nextel, Rogers or other cell phone carriers will not be able to roam from Prince Rupert.
--Bob Hale
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