Cellular Technology

"Cellular companies' roving technicians track reception to make sure you stay connected

The top of Gene Giordano's Ford Taurus wagon looks more like the underside of a cow than a sophisticated cell phone signal tracker for seeking out bad reception around New England.

Giordano is a test man for Verizon Wireless, driving from town to town throughout New England logging the reception holes called dead zones in a $300,000 vehicle he calls 'the porcupine' thanks to a dozen udder-like antenna stubs covering the car's roof."

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