SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 40
(By Senators Love, Plymale 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, 2008, 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.