TOWNSHEND — On April 9, Gov. Phil Scott announced the arrival of an AT&T Inc. Cell Site on Wheels (COW) at Grace Cottage Hospital, which will reinforce and enhance wireless network coverage for the hospital and the surrounding area.
The hospital and surrounding area were facing a loss of coverage due to a potential shutdown of current wireless provider CoverageCo. According to a news release, Scott worked with AT&T to ensure there would be no coverage gaps in the hospital's critical operations.
Within five days of Scott's initial request, an AT&T COW arrived in the Grace Cottage parking lot. This equipment will provide more AT&T coverage than was previously available.
“Ensuring Grace Cottage Hospital does not see a lapse in wireless network coverage was a priority as we work to support the entire area impacted,” Scott said in a prepared statement.
“I appreciate AT&T's partnership in identifying and providing this solution for the hospital and surrounding area,” added Scott, “and the continued work of our Department of Public Service, Agency of Commerce, the Legislature, and local officials on this issue.”
Grace Cottage Hospital and Townshend are new coverage areas for AT&T. In addition to the COW, AT&T has plans for a permanent cell site in Townshend as part of the company's FirstNet nationwide first responder network, which benefits public safety and citizens alike.
Scott sought assistance with the Grace Cottage Hospital site when it appeared that CoverageCo's small cell network would shut down at the beginning of April.
Beginning in 2012, CoverageCo has been under contract with the state of Vermont to build a wireless network of small cell sites in rural areas, completing 160 of a planned 500 nodes during the past four years.
Mounting management difficulties jeopardized CoverageCo's cell coverage along rural roadways in some of Vermont's most remote areas, as well as for some school facilities, public safety outlets, and Grace Cottage Hospital.
“We've been working diligently to find reasonable and sustainable pathways to preserve the gains made in these rural areas, and we are grateful to AT&T and the many partners who've joined us in this effort,” said Public Service Commissioner June Tierney.
Tierney added that addressing the compelling and complex issue of expanding cell coverage in Vermont's hard-to-reach areas will remain a priority.
“CoverageCo is a small private enterprise that has taken a run at the large economic challenge of bringing cell service to parts of rural Vermont where a sustainable business model has yet to materialize,” she continued. “We will continue to explore all reasonable options to help find an enduring and affordable solution for these communities.”