Tioga County Invests in Broadband Internet for First Responders

Broadband and internet access across Tioga County is a major issue pressing our local community. As of November of 2021, local leaders and county representatives are investing in ways to improve communication across the county.

In Tioga County, first responders have trouble with a lack of connectivity in rural Pennsylvania. Lauren Lesher, a local community service officer claims with low connectivity, “we have nothing…we weren’t able to even locate calls on a map and we weren’t able to get ahold of anyone on our radio.”

A new partnership between First Net Authority and AT&T is fixed on providing better communication for first responders. First Net Authority is an independent authority that resides within the Federal Government. During the course of 25 years, First Net Authority has invested $6.5 billion dollars into their network, while AT&T fronted $40 billion in assistance. First Net Authority disclosed a new site along route 287 in Middlebury Center to supplement a higher connectivity between Wellsboro and Tioga. Sites are constructed using a “Band 14” spectrum that prioritizes first responders over civilian use of broadband. When first responders need use of the broadband, all other users are temporarily kicked off to heighten communication when coordinating answers and calls between servers.

First Net Authority and it’s investments were originally created in regard to legislative affairs of congress’s vision and of first responder input all across the state of Pennsylvania.

Tioga County Commissioner Erick Coolidge observes, “what we’re doing is enhancing every element of what a rural community can now have access to” The county claims The investment is about the needs of our county and the needs of our rural citizens.