Coalition: Vermont can’t grow without cell service

Vermont Business Magazine On Tuesday a letter was sent to Vermont state senators from a coalition of Vermont businesses, organizations, and individuals in support of investment in Vermont’s cellular infrastructure. While supporting the state's significant investment and effort in expanding broadband Internet service, the coalition is asking lawmakers to also support investments in wireless connectivity this session "so that Vermont can start addressing the unserved and underserved areas of our state."

See letter below.

Senator Jane Kitchel, Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee

Members of the Senate

Vermont State House

RE: Vermont Can’t Grow Without Cell Service

Dear Chair Kitchel and Members of Senate:

An important aspect of growing our economy and population in Vermont is the ability to meet the needs of businesses and Vermonters. One major component that is not being addressed is expanding wireless cell services. Areas affected in a negative way due to the lack of service include the healthcare sector for telemedicine, tourism, agricultural sector for progressive ag practices, construction, education, emergency services, and more.

We all have members and employees that would benefit from these investments to ensure that wireless service can be accessed by everyone to improve safety, connectivity, and community togetherness. A focus should be placed not only on filling voids with no cell service but improving the stability and availability of connectivity for everyone - remote workers to school aged learners. Currently, 911 emergency services would benefit by utilizing the expanded cell service to lower the number of “dropped” calls inhibiting emergency responsiveness, sometimes yielding fatal results.

We fully support Vermont’s investment and dedication to broadband initiatives. We see improving cellular service as a complement to these investments and an extension to infrastructure that will strengthen and grow opportunities for Vermont and Vermonters. We now have the technology to connect pockets of our state that were otherwise deemed uneconomical or unfeasible to service.

We ask that the Vermont Senate support investments in wireless connectivity this session so that Vermont can start addressing the unserved and underserved areas of our state.

Sincerely,

Addison County Economic Development Corp

Agri-Mark

Ann Clark Cookie Cutters

A. & R. Belley Inc.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Bruce Lisman

Champlain Valley Equipment

C&P Brick and Motor

Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce

Dairy Farmers of America

Eye Care for You

F. H. Gillingham & Sons

Fairmont Farm Inc

Foley Services, Inc.

Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation

FreshTracks Capital

Gravel & Shea

Greater Burlington Industrial Corp. & Cynosure, Inc.

Green Mountain Insight

Hickock & Boardman Insurance Group

IPJ Real Estate

Junction Eye Center LLC

Killington Distillery

Kinney Drug

Lake Champlain Islands Economic Development Corp

Lamoille Chamber of Commerce

Lamoille Economic Development Corporation

Lisa Ventriss; Retired VT Business Round Table

Mountain Inn

O’Brien Brothers

Pizzagalli Construction

Pomerleau Real Estate

ReArch

Scott Boardman

Select Design

University of Vermont Health Network

Vermont Association of Snow Travelers

Vermont Chamber of Commerce

Vermont Community Foundation

Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance

Vermont Farm Bureau

Vermont Higher Education Council on behalf of Members

Vermont Optometric Association

Vermont Professionals of Color Network

Vermont Ski Areas Association

Vermont Teddy Bear

Vermont Veterinary Medical Association

Vistage International

Source: Vermont Chamber of Commerce. 4.4.2023.