Hinchey Introduces Bill to Bring Reliable Cell Coverage to All New Yorkers

ALBANY, NY – Senator Michelle Hinchey has introduced a new bill, The Cellular Mapping Act of 2023 (S6318/A7626), which would direct the Public Service Commission (PSC) to study the coverage and reliability of cell phone service in New York State and develop a comprehensive map to help guide the build out for statewide coverage.

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “In 2023, reliable cell service is an indisputable necessity, and yet the cell service dead zones and underserved areas in our rural and Upstate communities continue to hamper our daily lives, stymie economic development and impede emergency response and public safety. My bill, the Cellular Mapping Act of 2023, is the first step toward achieving statewide cellular coverage for all New Yorkers, and it’s about time. I look forward to getting it passed this session to ensure that all New Yorkers have reliable, adequate cell coverage.”

The Cellular Mapping Act of 2023 calls on the PSC to perform the following:

• Study call completion rates and download speed tests throughout the state and create a comprehensive map of which areas are served, underserved, and unserved within one year.
• Create and publish on its website a detailed cellular service access map showing access by location, including call completion rates, download speeds — advertised versus experienced, and the number of available cell service providers, along with prices.

• Hold at least four regional public hearings to hear from stakeholders within the same yearlong timeline that the mapping is being completed and provide an opportunity for customers to challenge the results of call completion rates and speed tests at each location.
• Report findings to the Governor, Senate, and Assembly and work with cellular service providers to prioritize access to coverage.
   

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