Small town appeal brings new service to Cheney

By DAVID TELLER

Staff Reporter

Small-town appeal is what enticed Scott Edman to set up a new wireless service office in Cheney.

Edman is the owner of Alpha Wireless Service, which is in the suite next to Chet's Flowers on First Street. He said he understands small town people and he likes their loyalty.

“That's where the business started and that's where the business thrives,” Edman said. “We can identify with the people that live here.”

He has been in business for eight years and small town markets are what he looks for. Edman, who resides in Florence, Mont., said he has four other wireless service businesses by the same name in Montana. The company is headquartered in Stevensville, Mont. Cheney is his second business in Washington, and the other is in Ellensburg.

Getting set up here was easy. Edman said big city markets have a lot of licenses and technical hurdles, so he keeps his business in populations of less than 20,000.

“College towns are good,” he said.

Alpha Wireless is a Verizon Wireless authorized dealer. Edman claims the difference between AT&T Wireless and Verizon is that Verizon offers a wider variety of plans, and a larger variety of phones. The store also carries car chargers, cases, and a big variety of headsets, which are a necessity in Washington due to traffic laws governing cell phone use.

Some of the basic plans offered at Alpha are national plans for about $40, the unlimited plan is about $100 and there is a wide selection of family plans. A credit card can be used to start an account, but Edman said a monthly payment must be done in cash.

Data is the channel that is expanding most. Edman said the popularity of text messaging, Internet, Blackberrys and Smartphones are the driving force. He added that although voice channels are still the standard, they are not as popular as they used to be.

Another product line he said he plans to get into the store soon is Dish Network. He estimates that might be in November.

Edman is currently employing one full-time employee, Chad Knox who is managing the store. Edman said he will start with one part-time employee and that may expand to full-time depending on how business picks up.

Alpha Wireless is at 1313 First Street. Store hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For questions, call 235-5511.

David Teller can be reached at [email protected]