Growing up in Crawford County, Presque Isle was a frequent destination for my family. While I now call Central Pennsylvania home, I try to get to Erie as often as possible to enjoy everything that the crown jewel of Pennsylvania’s state parks has to offer – great beaches, vibrant sunsets, biking and walking paths, kayaking and much more.
I was back in Erie on April 25 – but this time it was for business, although I was able to enjoy the beauty of the park on a sunny spring day.
I was honored to join Rep. Pat Harkins and Rep. Bob Merski; leadership from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), including Deputy Secretary Michael Walsh, Bureau of State Parks Director John Hallas, and Matthew Greene, operations manager at Presque Isle State Park; a representative from Sen. Dan Laughlin’s office; and other guests to announce a new cell site on Presque Isle.
Check out an interview with the park superintendent here, as well as a local news article here.
Our new site, which is co-located on an existing Pennsylvania State Police Statewide Radio Network tower, improves wireless coverage and capacity on Presque Isle. It was turned on days before the solar eclipse, which drew thousands of visitors to the lakeshore, and in time for the upcoming summer tourist season at Lake Erie.
We received a lot of feedback from local businesses, residents and first responders over the past few years about coverage in this area. During the past 2 years we worked closely with the representatives; DCNR; the Department of General Services; the Pennsylvania State Police, and officials from Presque Isle State Park, to bring this project to fruition. It was a great example of what can happen when the public and private sectors can come together to solve problems and get things done on behalf of Pennsylvanians.
Of course, while this new site is great for visitors to the lake who want to capture and share important moments, it’s also paramount for public safety, especially when crowds swell during the summer months.
That’s why the site includes Band 14 spectrum, which is nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the federal government specifically for FirstNet® – the only nationwide communications network created with and for public safety.
We look at Band 14 as public safety’s VIP lane. In an emergency, this band – or lane – can be cleared and locked exclusively for FirstNet subscribers. When not in use by FirstNet subscribers, AT&T customers can enjoy Band 14’s added coverage and capacity.
We appreciate the collaboration of state officials on this important project to better connect park visitors to greater possibilities – and to help park officials and first responders keep visitors safe.
I’m already looking forward to my next trip to Pennsylvania’s most-visited state park.
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