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McCains Granted Cell Phone Tower

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The Associated Press

Published: October 16, 2008

WASHINGTON - John McCain, a senior member of the Senate committee that oversees the telecom industry, now has cell phone coverage at the family's ranch near Sedona, Ariz., following a request from his wife, Cindy, early in 2007.

The Washington Post reported the story Wednesday and McCain's presidential campaign denounced it in the hours before the final presidential debate.

The two cellular companies most often used by the campaign staff, Verizon Wireless and AT&T, provided the coverage at the ranch, which is in a remote canyon where reception is difficult.

In June, Verizon delivered a portable tower free of charge to the ranch property after an online request from Cindy McCain's staff.

The "cell site on wheels" is ordinarily reserved for restoring service during emergencies.

AT&T brought in a tower in July.

The Post quoted AT&T spokeswoman Claudia B. Jones as saying that "you can't have a presidential nominee in an area where there is not cell coverage."

McCain is a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees the Federal Communications Commission and the telecommunications industry.

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