BILL NUMBER: S6138

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to direct the public service commission to
study the coverage and reliability of cell phone service in New York
State and construct a plan to ensure statewide reliable cell coverage
for all New Yorkers.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one directs the public service commission to study call
completion rates and download speed tests throughout the state and
create a comprehensive map of which areas are served, underserved and
unserved. The public service commission is also directed to send a
report of its findings to the Governor, Temporary President of the
Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly and work with cellular service
providers to prioritize access of coverage to communities that have been
negatively impacted by the current lack of service.

Section two states the effective date.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Many areas across New York State still do not have reliable access to
cell service. "Dead zones", or areas without cell reception, are common
and often threaten the safety and economic well-being of those that live
in and around them. Other areas may be deemed 'covered' by service
providers, but reliable, quality coverage is nearly never available.
When an emergency strikes, lack of basic cell service can prevent people
from being able to call for help or reach 9-1-1. In our globally
connected world, it is unacceptable that many New Yorkers are still
living without this now basic necessity, There are three main cell
service providers and the only known coverage maps are created by them.
Through lived experience, we know these maps to be inadequate. We need
the Public Service Commission to create a true, unbiased understanding
of the state of cell phone coverage across our state so that we can
close these gaps once and for all.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law.