Johnny Mack Morrow, Jeff Johnson, Brandon Presley
TUSCUMBIA-On Wednesday, September 5 a group of concerned citizens gathered in Tuscumbia to discuss the maps for cell phone coverage in the state. Included in this meeting were Rep Johnny Mack Morrow, the Northern District Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley and a representative from the Alabama Public Service Commission Jeff Johnson.
Present at the meeting were the Colbert County Commissioners had a representative present, members of Colbert 911, public volunteers, Lauderdale County Emergency Management as well as the director of Planning and Transportation for the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments.
The information contained in the FCC maps of cell coverage are in dispute as to the accuracy. On every telephone bill there is a Universal Service Fund charge of $1.50. This money is earmarked to help build cell towers in areas that have low to no coverage and to maintain existing cell towers.
Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow explained the fund was first used to help run the copper telephone lines attached to residences and business mainly in rural areas. Morrow was in the office of Commissioner Presley when he discovered Presley and his staff working on the same problem with inaccurate maps in Mississippi.
Morrow then did some investigation and checked the map on 16-mile stretch of Alabama 247 near his home in Red Bay where there is no coverage. After seeing the map showing coverage Morrow decided to take action with the FCC maps. He discovered there is a deadline to have disputes with the maps reconciled of November 26, 2018.
FCC Speed Test
Here is what you can do:
Download the app from the Apple Store – The FCC Speed Test app or from Google play – FCC Speed Test app
Follow instructions running all the tests from various locations where cell phone coverage is minimal or non-existent
The using the app email results weekly to johnnymacktaskforce@gmail.com
Get the word out to friends and neighbors to help with the process.
Presley said follow the app instructions and make sure to authorize the app for each location. He also said to run as many tests as you can. The more information the better. You must be standing still in order to get the GPS coordinates and run the test at least 1/2 mile apart.
Again the deadline for submitting corrections to the FCC maps is November 26. Commissioner Presley said once the deadline passes the maps cannot be changed.
