New York – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the new Upstate Cellular Coverage Task Force, which will develop potential solutions and policies to address the lack of cell service in rural and remote parts of upstate New York. The task force, which the Governor originally proposed as part of the 2019 State of the State, will be administered by Empire State Development.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
“Every New Yorker should be able to access a stable cell connection, yet our upstate regions have struggled for too long to make the connections that are vital to everyday life and commerce,” Governor Cuomo said. “Today we’re leading the way forward by establishing a task force of cellular service experts, elected representatives and environmental advocates who will develop concrete policies and help to ensure service is provided and infrastructure for it is built in a sustainable way.”
“All New Yorkers should have reliable cellular service, and this new task force will work to find solutions to fill existing gaps,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “Residents and businesses in upstate communities and rural areas still face challenges with cell service, and we want to make sure to address those issues once and for all. We are committed to modernizing 21st century infrastructure to expand coverage and strengthen the economy.”
The task force consists of industry experts, community leaders, government officials, environmental representatives, and other key stakeholders and has retained Alvarez & Marsal as an advisor. The first meeting of the task force is today.
The lack of upstate cellular network coverage undermines economic growth, impacts communications and safety, and inhibits adoption of smart municipal infrastructure. In the Adirondack Park Region and other rural upstate areas with large coverage gaps, the issue of cellular deployment has been a major local concern. The Task Force will review existing policies, potential constraints, and available resources and funding sources including federal support, to develop implementable recommendations for enhancing cellular coverage in unserved areas including the Adirondacks and Catskills.
Looks like Cuomo is trying to do his first good deed since taking office.
a new tax is on the way
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. The lack of cell coverage in northern NY isn’t just inconvenient, it’s life-threatening and it’s not just in rural upstate but even along the main corridors like I87. A few winters ago a guy died when his car kidded off I87 into a snow bank and he couldn’t call for help because he couldn’t get a cell signal. I can understand that cell coverage may be slim in wilderness areas but no coverage along major corridors is inexcusable.