According to a recent statewide poll, more than nine out of 10 West Virginians feel it is important to have reliable and consistent cellular phone coverage in rural areas for personal and public safety, while nearly 80 percent experience dead zones, dropped calls or poor call quality.

According to the poll, more than half also oppose Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposals that would diminish support for rural wireless by nearly 50 percent, jeopardizing public safety and economic development in smaller communities.

The opinion poll, which was commissioned by Connecting Rural America, also found that 70 percent of Mountaineers approve of the use of federal Universal Service Fund (USF) dollars to build and expand cell phone and wireless communication technology in rural areas. I recently did a story about the potential loss of this type of funding for cellular companies wanting to invest into rural areas, like West Virginia.

According to those cellular companies, the USF was created by Congress in 1996 to provide wireless carriers with an incentive to build communications networks in sparsely populated rural areas that would otherwise not support investment.

Many West Virginians, according to poll results, would prefer access to a wireless phone on a high-quality, reliable network over access to a quality land line broadband Internet connection. Nearly half would choose a wireless cell phone over a traditional landline if they could only choose one type of service.

“People everywhere depend on their cell phones to meet critical safety and personal needs,” said John E. Rooney, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Cellular, a key supporter of the Connecting Rural America campaign. “Cutting federal funding significantly will put the safety of rural citizens and emergency personnel at risk, and for a savings to consumers of just seventeen cents per month.”

In rural West Virginia, as in other parts of rural America, first responders like firefighters and police officers rely on cell phones to assist in search and rescue operations, domestic violence situations, undercover activities and aid communications in areas where police radio is unsecure or unavailable. Additionally, nearly 300,000 emergency 911 calls are placed via cell phones every day nationwide.

“In many cases, a cell phone could be the fastest way to get help, but poor mobile service makes it less likely that folks will be able to quickly notify public safety officials of an emergency,” said Doug Mongold, president of the West Virginia Firemen’s Association. “Right now, our best hope of improving rural wireless service rests on continued support from the Universal Service Fund.”

Connecting Rural America opposed the FCC’s decision to cap USF support for wireless in March. The FCC is now considering regulatory changes that could cut USF support for wireless by over 40 percent in West Virginia, costing the state approximately $9 million per year and jeopardizing as many as half of the new cell phone towers planned for rural West Virginia. FCC action on the proposals could come at any time.

“Rural consumers pay into the fund and deserve access to the same reliable wireless service and choices found in our cities,” Rooney added. “Indeed, rural America should not be left behind while the rest of the country enjoys the peace of mind and conveniences that come with reliable cell phone service.”

The poll was conducted by Fako & Associates of Lisle, Illinois. The survey was conducted by telephone among a random sample of 606 adults, age 18 and up that are residents of West Virginia using random digit dialing (RDD) methodology. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.98 percent.

A full summary of poll results is available by visiting the Web site www.ConnectingRuralAmerica.org to learn more.

(Note: Pace is a reporter for The Register-Herald.)

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com