Senator Seeks Better Cell Service

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, is looking to improve cell service in Mitchell, Oregon. Wyden has asked the federal First Responder Network Authority to address the public safety concern in the small city. The East Oregonian reported that the town has just 130 people, but it is also the gateway to the Painted Hills National Monument, which brought nearly 70,000 to the area last year. “As the situation now stands, in the event of a traffic accident or fire, one would need to visit a ranch, store or find the payphone on Main Street in order to call 9-1-1,” Wyden said. “Ground ambulance and fire department services are managed and staffed by local volunteers, who likewise have no cell service. There is no hospital in the area, and many in need of immediate care are transported by air ambulance.” (East Oregonian) AT&T does have a tower in east Mitchell, but the service doesn’t extend into the community, which is why Wyden has proposed FirstNet partner with AT&T and Frontier TeleNet to bring connectivity to the area. “A model of this sort would not only be efficient and cost-effective, but could also deliver a template for solving these communication and public safety needs in other highly rural communities,” Wyden said. (East Oregonian) City and state officials are concerned with the safety of residents, as well as anyone who comes to visit. The county doesn’t have the money to enhance the communications network itself, but they would with the help of FirstNet.