Governor Announces Upstate Cellular Coverage Task Force
September 17th, 2019
Governor Cuomo announced 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. 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.
Members of the task force include:
- 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