We figured it was only a matter of time before someone else took Samsung up on its offer of a branded Ubicell for their network, and it seems as if Verizon Wireless will be calling the two spot. After Sprint launched the CDMA femtocell (dubbed AIRAVE) for users with lackluster service at home, the unit was widely regarded as amazing, magnificent and just downright stupendous. According to a new filing with the FCC, Verizon is hoping to provide those same wonderful emotions to its own customers who are already frustrated with dropped calls and terrible service at home. Obviously, there's no mention of a price or release date, but judging by the user manual, installation and operation will be exactly the same -- and yes, that means it won't operate without a GPS lock proving that you're currently situated in America. Now, if only a universal GSM version were right around the bend, we'd be pleased as punch.

[Via CellPhone Signal]

As the number of wireless customers grows, carriers must add cell towers to fill in gaps in coverage and dead spots. More often that not, there's a heated debate between local residents and the wireless carrier regarding where to place the cell sites and how to make them as visually unobtrusive as possible. In the small town of Philomont, Virginia, residents have turned down Sprint's offer to build and disguise a local cell site as a 106-foot barn silo. The cell tower was described as "visually obscene" by one of the local residents, suggesting the company instead share a 100-foot flagpole already used by Verizon. Naturally, Sprint's not so keen on the idea, pouting and screaming that it doesn't like to share (actually, they had some excuse about not having access to the best spots on the flagpole because they're already in use) -- but any way you slice it, take note that rural Virginians value their silo-free skyline over extra bars of reception.

Although cellphone tower location registering has been used in courtrooms for some time, we just knew that the GPS capability and morewould be put forth for use in cases where even better location granularity is required. Well, what do ya know: it's here. For alleged murderer Darryl Littlejohn, he knows it all to well. While movement from tower to tower is not exactly a new strategy for attorneys to use when arguing cases, it's use as an alibi can go either way. Critics say that rush-hour wireless traffic can shunt signals to towers that cause accurate tracking to be obfuscated somewhat, while others say criminals can plant their handsets away from crime locations for later use as an alibi. Yeah, we love when lawyers begin grasping the technical ins and outs of wireless towers and advanced tracking methodologies.

As far as love hate relationships go, cell towers rank way up there. Everybody wants better mobile coverage without having to see an ugly tower peeking above the trees in their neighborhood. The Arts Commission from Oceanside, California, has set its sights on beautifying one particular tower that gets peeped by a few hundred thousand people a day from a nearby freeway. The plan would have the thing bedecked with netting and sea birds in an attempt to blend in with the pleasant coastal theme. We find that by simply staring at our feet and wearing ball caps all while chatting on our cells usually helps us ignore them. Good luck Oceanside.

[Via textually.org]