Williston, N.D., has always had spotty cell phone service, and reception is even worse in the oilfields.
Given the area's influx of workers who need wireless service, 22-year-old Dave Ludwig decided that a company selling devices to improve cell phone service could be a gold mine.
"We have terrible problems with service up here, so I saw that there would be a demand for this and I jumped on the opportunity," said Ludwig, who studied entrepreneurship at Williston State College.
Ludwig heard about cell phone signal boosters, devices that can enhance cell phone reception, and ordered a few to test out in some of the local dead zones. After determining that they did in fact improve his reception, he entered into a relationship with national electronics dealer Wilson Electronics to order more of them, and he began selling the devices about six months ago. The boosters range in price from $110 for a truck or car all the way up to more than $1,000 for a business or home, depending on the size.
After selling only 10 units during his first month in business, he said he is now selling about 85 a month. His biggest customers are oilfield workers stationed at wells with very little cell phone service, and then farmers, who also live and work in areas with limited reception, said Ludwig.
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