West Virginians Want Better Rural Cell Phone Service for Public ...

Tag : Internet Phone Call

CHARLESTON, W.Va. , Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent statewide poll, more thannine out of 10 West Virginians feel it is important to havereliable and consistent cellular phone coverage in rural areas forpersonal and public safety, while nearly 80 percent experience deadzones, dropped calls or poor call quality. More than half alsooppose Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposals that woulddiminish support for rural wireless by nearly 50 percent,jeopardizing public safety and economic development in smallercommunities.
The opinion poll -- commissioned by Connecting Rural America --also found that 70% of Mountaineers approve of the use of federalUniversal Service Fund (USF) dollars to build and expand cell phoneand wireless communication technology in rural areas. The USF wascreated by Congress in 1996 to provide wireless carriers with anincentive to build communications networks in sparsely populatedrural areas that would otherwise not support investment.
Many West Virginians, according to poll results, would preferaccess to a wireless phone on a high-quality, reliable network overaccess to a quality land line broadband Internet connection. Nearlyhalf would choose a wireless cell phone over a traditional landlineif they could only choose one type of service.
"People everywhere depend on their cell phones to meet criticalsafety and personal needs," said John E. Rooney , President and CEO of U.S. Cellular, a key supporter of theConnecting Rural America campaign. "Cutting federal fundingsignificantly will put the safety of rural citizens and emergencypersonnel at risk, and for a savings to consumers of just seventeen cents per month."
In rural West Virginia , as in other parts of rural America, first responders likefirefighters and police officers rely on cell phones to assist insearch and rescue operations, domestic violence situations,undercover activities and aid communications in areas where policeradio is unsecure or unavailable. Additionally, nearly 300,000emergency 9-1-1 calls are placed via cell phones every daynationwide.
"In many cases, a cell phone could be the fastest way to get help,but poor mobile service makes it less likely that folks will beable to quickly notify public safety officials of an emergency,"said Doug Mongold , President of the West Virginia Firemen's Association. "Right now,our best hope of improving rural wireless service rests oncontinued support from the Universal Service Fund."
Connecting Rural America opposed the FCC's decision to cap USFsupport for wireless in March 2008 . The FCC is now considering regulatory changes that could cut USFsupport for wireless by over 40 percent in West Virginia , costing the state approximately $9 million per year and jeopardizing as many as half of the new cell phonetowers planned for rural West Virginia . FCC action on the proposals could come at any time.
"Rural consumers pay into the fund and deserve access to the samereliable wireless service and choices found in our cities," Rooneyadded. "Indeed, rural America should not be left behind while therest of the country enjoys the peace of mind and conveniences thatcome with reliable cell phone service."
The poll was conducted by Fako & Associates of Lisle, Illinois , on July 16 - 19, 2008 . The survey was conducted by telephone among a random sample of606 adult (age 18+) residents of the State of West Virginia using random digit dialing (RDD) methodology. The survey has amargin of error of +/- 3.98%. A full summary of poll results isavailable on request.
Connecting Rural America is a grassroots coalition of concernedcitizens, community leaders and elected officials working forequality in wireless telecommunications. Its goal is to providerural communities with the same access to technology as their urbancounterparts. Visit www.ConnectingRuralAmerica.org to learn more.
SOURCE Connecting Rural America