UPDATE Poor cell service in the Santa Fe area, which has been a nuisance to residents and businesses for some time, has officially become a public safety emergency, reported The New Mexican. In August, Inside Towers reported on the below-average coverage in the city affecting area business and city officials when it came to conducting phone calls or sending emails to clients. Emergency services such as the fire department, were complaining about inconsistent coverage as well.
Mayor Javier Gonzales authorized city staff to work with Verizon Wireless to install seven temporary telecommunications facilities on city property after declaring “insufficient telecommunications capacity in the city” is endangering the public. “Once it [call service] began impacting our police, fire, and emergency medical responders, it became more than a frustration, it became a threat of danger to the public safety,” said Gonzales.
The temporary facilities will “supplement the capacity of the cellular networks in the city” so emergency personnel can better perform their duties. Verizon will pay Santa Fe $50,400 to place its equipment on city facilities.
According to Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg, connectivity issues have inconvenienced the fire department in the past. “I would hope everybody calling 911 has the ability to do so when they need to do so. That, to me, is the biggest urgency,” said Litzenberg.
Deputy Chiefs Andrew Padilla and Mario Salbidrez of the Santa Fe Police Department echoed Litzenberg’s concern about poor signal strength inhibiting a 911 caller, especially since the police departments use Verizon as a carrier, which has the weakest signal in the downtown, compared to other carriers.
December 22, 2017
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