It can be one of the most annoying things about cell phones — a dropped call because you went outside your service area.

Sherry Kurzhal of South Bend has a Good Quesiton: What can be done about getting a tower in our area to increase our ability to use our cell phones?

WSBT's Kirk Mason looked into it.

Viewers have told us about a cell phone dead spot west of South Bend on State Road 23 toward Crumstown. Another well-known dead spot is on the Bypass in Berrien County close to Berrien Springs.

I spoke to Michelle Gilbert, Verizon's media spokesperson for Indiana, about what customers can do.

Gilbert says don't assume your cell company knows. In Verizon's case she says call their customer hotline number at 1-800-922-0204 (Verizon customers can dial *611) or stop by a Verizon store.

Gilbert says it's possible something is interfering with a signal like a grocery store scanner or television rabbit ears — that's happened before.

In the larger, more likely case that another cell tower is needed, population density is a key factor. The more people who live in an area the more likely it is to get served.

But keep in mind it can take a year, sometimes more, sometimes less, to a get new cell phone tower. Cell phone companies have to work through local government, and it can depend a lot on what type of regulation there is.