Lawmakers probe N.Y. cell service task force progress

PLATTSBURGH | Upstate New York lawmakers sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo March 30 looking for updates on the status of a state-funded task force created to probe cellular connectivity in underserved communities. The Upstate Cellular Coverage Task Force was created in 2019 with the goal of closing cell service gaps across New York by identifying disparities and technical inequities while working toward regional improvements. Details of those probes, however, have left local lawmakers questioning its progress and the status of the effort. In the letter, lawmakers wrote "As you know, lack of reliable cellular access is a serious impediment to economic growth. The COVID-19 crisis further highlighted the disparity of technological inequity in communities that lack access to high-speed broadband, including cellular connectivity." "Additionally, lack of cellular is a major public safety threat, making the life-saving work of police, fire, ambulance, forest rangers, and other first-responders more difficult." The letter-sent by Sen. Dan Stec and Assembly members Billy Jones, Matt Simpson, Robert Smullen, and Carrie Woerner-now seeks a formal update about the status of the task force, as well as any reports or coverage maps that may have been created. The move comes as local representatives push for further broadband studies and solutions in light of a growing number of constituent concerns exacerbated by the pandemic. The task force is administered by Empire State Development and held its first meeting in September 2019.

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Lawmakers probe N.Y. cell service task force progress

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