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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday that 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.

"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."

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.

The members of the Upstate Cellular Coverage Task Force are:
  • Barbara Rice, Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
  • Jeffrey Nordhaus, Executive Vice President, Innovation and Broadband, Empire State Development
  • Thomas Congdon, Deputy Commissioner, New York State Public Service Commission
  • William Farber, Chair, Board of Supervisors, Hamilton County
  • Chris Fisher, Advisor and Former President, New York State Wireless Association
  • David Hopkins, Director, E911, Steuben County
  • Jeff Senterman, Executive Director, Catskill Center
  • Dr. Satya Sharma, Executive Director, CeWIT, SUNY Stony Brook
  • Michael Sprague, Director, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
  • Rick Weber, Deputy Director, Planning, New York State Adirondack Park Agency
  • Betty Little*, New York State Senator
  • Jen Metzger*, New York State Senator
  • Rachel May*, New York State Senator Senate
  • Aileen M. Gunther*, New York State Assembly Member
  • Billy Jones*, New York State Assembly Member
  • Angelo Santabarbara, New York State Assembly Member

* Ex officio member

New York State has made historic investments in infrastructure and broadband availability. In 2015, the Governor launched the $500 million New NY Broadband Program to achieve statewide high-speed Internet access. After full implementation of the program, more than 99 percent of New Yorkers will have access to wired broadband.

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