Mike Salaz: Let’s encourage buildout of cellular networks in rural Colorado

By Mike Salaz

"No Service." It's a frustrating message to see displayed on your phone. It's something folks in Colorado deal with from time to time. For most of us, it's thankfully something that's happening less and less. But for rural Coloradans, particularly those in mountain and foothills communities, "No Service" is still an all too frequent problem throughout daily life and in emergencies.

Our state, county, and municipal leaders play a crucial role in setting policy and orientating municipal priorities so that wireless connectivity will benefit the public. It takes a concentrated effort to ensure we move as quickly as possible to improve coverage and reduce the number of dead spots.

Lack of a wireless connection was not so much of a problem even as recently at 10-20 years ago. But today, we require robust voice and data service, and it's how we stay in touch with loved ones, improve public safety and engage in the 21st-century economy.

Colorado's rural mountain communities know all too well how difficult it can be to stay connected. Sometimes the loss of a signal can be just an inconvenience, and other times it can be the difference between life and death. As our mountain roads become increasingly busy, public safety can depend on the availability of a wireless signal.

For instance, service issues have plagued Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon for years. Accidents and now mudslides frequently shut the road down, with travelers in a miles-long dead spot unable to contact loved ones or emergency services.

When the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires prompted the evacuation of Estes Park and nearby communities, highways were clogged for miles-long stretches of U.S. 34/36, with evacuees unable to get word to loved ones and emergency services unable to use their mobile devices.

For the rural residents, farmers, and ranchers that frequent these dead spots in our wireless network, the problem is a familiar one. Residents of Rist Canyon, where I live, understand this problem all too well. Daily disruptions of voice calls and data signals put a significant dent in overall productivity. During emergencies like forest fires or auto accidents, the lack of connectivity is a bigger problem.

While Colorado's geography can make connectivity difficult, we have the technology and funding to eliminate these dead zones. Wireless carriers invest billions of dollars building out new "small cell" systems that offer high speeds and better coverage. A prime example of this technology has been in place for five years along U.S. Highway 6 in Clear Creek Canyon from Golden to Blackhawk.

An identical system is being proposed along U.S. Highway 36 that will add coverage where none currently exists. This system will help improve public safety and the quality of life for rural residents who frequently traverse that route. Municipal authorities have a unique ability to make sure this system is built quickly, so CDOT can monitor traffic and provide reports to the public; businesses that operate along the route can be more successful; tourists can communicate; and residents can finally make a call from their property.

The system along U.S. 36 is also a crucial part of Colorado's buildout of FirstNet, a federally mandated system created in the wake of 9/11, to provide uninterrupted wireless coverage for emergency services. But in addition to emergency communications, FirstNet capacity will also be extended to consumer wireless needs, eventually providing blanket coverage anywhere in the country. It's this feature that's particularly important for rural residents like me.

Completion of FirstNet is years away. In the meantime, we can ask our county and municipal governments to collaborate with CDOT and their partner Crown Castle to advance the completion of the FirstNet system through the use of small cell networks. These projects will provide improved service to users, enhance public safety and help to advance the completion of FirstNet across Colorado. The expansion of wireless coverage is to everyone's benefit, and our local leaders have the opportunity to work with the state and wireless companies to advance that goal.

Mike Salaz is a resident of Rist Canyon and is on the Board of Directors of the Larimer County Farm Bureau.