North Country residents urged to complete broadband survey

PLATTSBURGH | After months of calling for details of the Upstate Cellular Coverage Task Force probe, North Country lawmakers are also now urging area residents to complete a state broadband survey to further efforts to close those service gaps in the Adirondacks and beyond. Following the long-awaited release of the Task Force's final report Oct. 1, Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) said "For months we have been waiting for the Upstate Cellular Coverage Task Force final report to be released so that we can start taking action towards expanding cell service in the Adirondacks. The report that was finally released did not tell us anything that people in the North Country do not already know- even along major roadways, there still is not adequate cell phone coverage especially in the Adirondack region." However, Jones said, "The report included several recommendations on how to streamline the process for expanding cellular service and how to incentivize private investment to be combined with state and federal support, but it still will be a costly endeavor with an estimated $610 million price tag." "Despite these obstacles, steps must be taken immediately towards expanding cellular coverage in upstate New York and I look forward to working with local government officials and local leaders to make the changes necessary to support expanding cellular service across the North Country." Broadband also remains a key issue Jones then joined Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R-Horicon) in urging North Country residents to participate in a state broadband access survey that would further help with broadband mapping and identifying locations still lacking internet service as well. "Broadband access has been a problem for the North Country for too long and the time to act is now," Jones said. Simpson said the survey-part of the Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act enacted in May- further studies the availability, reliability and cost of high-speed internet across the state. "We all know that the North Country has some serious issues with access and quality internet. We also know the state's current mapping has proven to be incomplete at best. Many local stakeholders here in the 114th District have as a result come together to conduct their own surveys and mapping. This points to just how significant the demand is to overcome the lack of connectivity. For us to be successful, we all need to continue working together," Simpson said. The broadband survey can be found at www.empirestatebroadband.com. For more information about the Task Force's final cell-service report, visit https://esd.ny.gov/esd-media-center/reports?tid[]=516.

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North Country residents urged to complete broadband survey

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