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Lack of cell service of concern to many
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| Ancram Town Supervisor Art Bassin, right, introduces Democratic Congressman Scott Murphy, 20th District, to concerned citizens at a special town meeting about rural cell phone coverage in Ancram Monday. (Robert Lachman/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers ) |
By Robert Lachman
If you’re trying to make a cell phone call in the towns of Ancram, Copake and Taghkanic, chances are you will probably be out of luck since the service there is spotty at best and at its worst is non-existent.
On Monday, Democratic Congressman Scott Murphy, 20th District, hosted one of a series of what he likes to call “Congress-on-the-Corner” meetings at the Ancram Town Hall. The focus was on bringing cell phone service to the towns of Ancram, Copake and Taghkanic.
“The cell phone issue has been a big issue here for a long time,” said Ancram Town Supervisor Art Bassin as he introduced Murphy to the crowd of concerned citizens and elected officials from the affected towns.
“One of the things I talked about in my campaign is technology,” Murphy said. “Having this access to technology for our small towns is essential. When I drive down the Taconic or on our back roads I hang up on my wife repeatedly.” He went on to say he had recently introduced a bill in the legislature called the Rural Broadband Initiative Act of 2010 that would help cut through red tape and give rural families and businesses the tools to connect to the rest of the world.
“I introduced this bill with [U.S. Sen.] Kirsten Gillibrand, but it hasn’t gone to committee yet,” he said.
As an example of the problems rural communities face, Murphy told the story of Sheila Flanagan who co-owns the Nettle Meadow Goat Farm in the Adirondacks. The Williams-Sonoma holiday catalogue featured their cheese and it was very popular, but they couldn’t keep up with their orders due to slow, dial-up Internet service and decided against being featured in the magazine again.
Also in attendance was Ed Bergstraesser, Vice-President of Vox Global, a public affairs firm hired by AT&T to gather information and judge public opinion. It was earlier reported that an actual AT&T representative would be there to answer questions, but that was not the case. Bergstraesser made a statement to the effect that AT&T is happy to be building out the network they have sunk $80 million in but had no answers to the question “when?”
“I was under strict orders not to answer any questions about exact timing,” he said. “But I can say there will be a build out over the next two years.”
Murphy then opened the floor to questions from the audience. Local resident Steve Edelstein complained of being charged by AT&T when he gets no service. “Why does AT&T keep charging me for service that doesn’t exist?” he asked. “They’re taking $60 a month from me and I have absolutely no service.” Bergstraesser had no answer for Edelstein, but did write his question down.
Verizon customer Victor Miller called what he gets a “third-world service” and claimed Verizon was just as bad as AT&T. “I’m trying to build a business here and I must use the Internet but it’s impossible to get.”
Three years ago Ancram Board of Assessment review member Bob Roth began the process of contacting cell phone companies about bringing service to the town. He felt AT&T was dragging its feet on the cell phone issue.
“I have been speaking to AT&T and according to them they have budgeted Ancram and Copake for 2010,” he said. “Yet they gave me a location for Ancram and Copake and it turned out to be in Taghkanic. You guys are wishy-washy. We don’t even have a location.”
Jim Jeffreys, president of Northeast Communication Services, a private cell-tower company, explained that terrain plays a big part but so does money. “Some of the issues we faced was that there wasn’t a lot of money to do build out, but that’s changing,” he said.
Roth asked Murphy, “What are you going to do for us? How far can you push this?”
“We’re working constructively with AT&T on the one hand and we are leaning on them as well,” Murphy said. “We’re also working on getting stimulus package money for broadband access. But the first step is getting someone to privately put a tower up or get local authorities to grant permits and the Ancram/Gallatin town line could be a good place to start.”
“Zoning could be difficult,” said Bassin. “I think the argument should be that it’s a public safety issue and persuade these folks it’s in their interest. If not, then the town may have to ignore its own zoning.”
The meeting ended with no firm commitment by AT&T to a timeline for cell phone service and promises by Murphy to do what he can to get things moving.
Bassin said that AT&T had found two spots for cell towers. One was on Route 2 between Ancram and Copake, the other on Winchell Mountain. “It’s really a safety issue and an emergency preparedness issue,” Bassin said. “I think we’ll get this done but it will take time.”
To reach reporter Robert Lachman, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266 or e-mail rlachman@registerstar.com.
On Monday, Democratic Congressman Scott Murphy, 20th District, hosted one of a series of what he likes to call “Congress-on-the-Corner” meetings at the Ancram Town Hall. The focus was on bringing cell phone service to the towns of Ancram, Copake and Taghkanic.
“The cell phone issue has been a big issue here for a long time,” said Ancram Town Supervisor Art Bassin as he introduced Murphy to the crowd of concerned citizens and elected officials from the affected towns.
“One of the things I talked about in my campaign is technology,” Murphy said. “Having this access to technology for our small towns is essential. When I drive down the Taconic or on our back roads I hang up on my wife repeatedly.” He went on to say he had recently introduced a bill in the legislature called the Rural Broadband Initiative Act of 2010 that would help cut through red tape and give rural families and businesses the tools to connect to the rest of the world.
“I introduced this bill with [U.S. Sen.] Kirsten Gillibrand, but it hasn’t gone to committee yet,” he said.
As an example of the problems rural communities face, Murphy told the story of Sheila Flanagan who co-owns the Nettle Meadow Goat Farm in the Adirondacks. The Williams-Sonoma holiday catalogue featured their cheese and it was very popular, but they couldn’t keep up with their orders due to slow, dial-up Internet service and decided against being featured in the magazine again.
Also in attendance was Ed Bergstraesser, Vice-President of Vox Global, a public affairs firm hired by AT&T to gather information and judge public opinion. It was earlier reported that an actual AT&T representative would be there to answer questions, but that was not the case. Bergstraesser made a statement to the effect that AT&T is happy to be building out the network they have sunk $80 million in but had no answers to the question “when?”
“I was under strict orders not to answer any questions about exact timing,” he said. “But I can say there will be a build out over the next two years.”
Murphy then opened the floor to questions from the audience. Local resident Steve Edelstein complained of being charged by AT&T when he gets no service. “Why does AT&T keep charging me for service that doesn’t exist?” he asked. “They’re taking $60 a month from me and I have absolutely no service.” Bergstraesser had no answer for Edelstein, but did write his question down.
Verizon customer Victor Miller called what he gets a “third-world service” and claimed Verizon was just as bad as AT&T. “I’m trying to build a business here and I must use the Internet but it’s impossible to get.”
Three years ago Ancram Board of Assessment review member Bob Roth began the process of contacting cell phone companies about bringing service to the town. He felt AT&T was dragging its feet on the cell phone issue.
“I have been speaking to AT&T and according to them they have budgeted Ancram and Copake for 2010,” he said. “Yet they gave me a location for Ancram and Copake and it turned out to be in Taghkanic. You guys are wishy-washy. We don’t even have a location.”
Jim Jeffreys, president of Northeast Communication Services, a private cell-tower company, explained that terrain plays a big part but so does money. “Some of the issues we faced was that there wasn’t a lot of money to do build out, but that’s changing,” he said.
Roth asked Murphy, “What are you going to do for us? How far can you push this?”
“We’re working constructively with AT&T on the one hand and we are leaning on them as well,” Murphy said. “We’re also working on getting stimulus package money for broadband access. But the first step is getting someone to privately put a tower up or get local authorities to grant permits and the Ancram/Gallatin town line could be a good place to start.”
“Zoning could be difficult,” said Bassin. “I think the argument should be that it’s a public safety issue and persuade these folks it’s in their interest. If not, then the town may have to ignore its own zoning.”
The meeting ended with no firm commitment by AT&T to a timeline for cell phone service and promises by Murphy to do what he can to get things moving.
Bassin said that AT&T had found two spots for cell towers. One was on Route 2 between Ancram and Copake, the other on Winchell Mountain. “It’s really a safety issue and an emergency preparedness issue,” Bassin said. “I think we’ll get this done but it will take time.”
To reach reporter Robert Lachman, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266 or e-mail rlachman@registerstar.com.
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Zephco wrote on Feb 9, 2010 10:06 PM:
I grew up in this area before cells, internet, and HD. We made it through and some how lived.
I am not saying that it wouldn't be nice to have some modern day conveniences , but to act like its life or death is just silly.
I am not sure if Murphy will actually provide any clout to push this issue or not, but there are always other means in an open market to force one provider that is not providing service out and to get another provider that can in. "