Marshall County residents experienced the first weekend of cell service in an area formerly known as a “dead zone.” Since Thursday, the city of Cameron enjoys an active cell tower.

"We've been working with the Marshall County Commission and CONSOL. We're really excited about that because we've had a lot of customers that have been inquiring about that area," said Teresa Melville, retail store manager with AT&T.

Officials said customers can now talk, text and surf the web on their phones.

"They have actually been watching the tower be constructed and have been telling us more than we (knew). They were being able to see it and were so excited about it," said Melville. "They've been coming into the store and just asking us when it was going to be up, and we've had inquires probably for the last two or three months in regards to it."

Officials said they already had Cameron residents sign up for cell service. The excitement surrounding the tower's construction grew for months as people watched and waited.

It will take a little longer before 4G service reaches that area of the Northern Panhandle, officials said.