SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16

(By Senators Love and Hunter)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the elimination of "dead spots" in wireless coverage in West Virginia.

Whereas, Telecommunications infrastructure is essential for all economies to compete in a global marketplace; and
Whereas, As a rural state, West Virginia is particularly dependent on wireless communication services to connect West Virginia businesses and communities to the global community; and
Whereas, A strong telecommunications infrastructure can be a catalyst for encouraging entrepreneurial activity, expanding cultural and tourism opportunities, creating new technology and financial sector jobs, rebuilding our downtown areas and enhancing the overall economic health of our communities; and
Whereas, A strong telecommunications infrastructure is not possible when West Virginia's wireless communications network is plagued by poor service quality and it is common that even when a carrier generally offers coverage in a geographic area, service for individual calls are not available due to the existence of numerous areas within the coverage area where service is not available because the signal between the handset and the cell tower is blocked, commonly referred to as "dead spots"; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the elimination of "dead spots" in wireless coverage in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance consider ways it can encourage wireless carriers to work collectively in eliminating the "dead spots" to provide seamless wireless coverage throughout West Virginia; and, be it 
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.