If you have trouble with cell phone service, Warren County wants to hear from you. A brief, online survey aimed at identifying problem areas in cell phone coverage is open and now accepting input.

The County of Warren, New Jersey is in the process of determining areas countywide that are either underserved by cellular service, or are experiencing a degradation of formerly robust service, Warren County Commissioner Lori Ciesla announced.

The survey can be found through the county government website, www.warrencountynj.gov, or at this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SD5PBDP.

“In times of emergency, cellular coverage is a must-have, especially since the public telephone booth has essentially disappeared,” Ciesla said. “Cellular service is also often needed to establish internet hotspots, and everyone in every corner of the county should have the ability to use their cell phones on demand, she added.

Warren County officials are working to establish areas of need and create a program of improvement, and the process is in its data gathering phase.  “We are reviewing established coverage mapping for County cellular providers; have engaged in dialogue with local municipal officials regarding reported areas of need; and have also begun to interact with cellular providers to determine where they are planning new service, expanding existing service, and/or augmenting existing equipment and infrastructure,” Ciesla explained. 

The next step is to work with a professional firm to help confirm the areas of the County experiencing poor to no service via a speed test, and then to establish a list of needed equipment and infrastructure at those defined locations to improve service.

“This survey will allow both residents and visitors to the County to provide input regarding areas of low or no connectivity, specific issues with connectivity, and which provider is associated with the issue,” said county Public Works Director Emily Hammer, who is working on the project. “The goal of the survey is to amass data that will help define the County’s areas of need for enhanced equipment and infrastructure,” Hammer said.

“We would now like your help to assist us in pinpointing ‘dead zones’ or areas of inconsistent signal,” Ciesla said, adding, “Your anecdotal information will be used alongside the speed test to help us determine our next steps.”

Residents are asked to fill out the survey whenever you hit a ‘dead-zone’ or area of poor cellular coverage.