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Utilities commission weighs loading Ookla mobile data into town GIS, plans Verizon briefing and public maps
Summary
Commissioners discussed options to publish high-resolution mobile-signal maps derived from Ookla data, seek quotes to load or export the data from the contractor-maintained GIS, and pursue carrier meetings (Verizon on May 8). The commission also flagged emergency-service coverage gaps and a communications plan to share maps with residents.
The New Canaan Utilities Commission on April 10 discussed multiple options to make town mobile-signal data publicly usable, including buying high‑resolution PDF heat maps, loading Ookla measurement data into the town's GIS, or producing static maps with a topography overlay for the commission webpage.
The discussion centered on how to present Ookla crowd-sourced measurements so residents and emergency services can see where carriers provide stronger or weaker service. Commissioner Pablo said the commission received unencrypted CSV extracts from Ookla and that the contractor who maintains the town GIS would charge for (1) loading the full dataset into GIS, (2) producing high‑resolution PDF heat maps by provider, and (3) upgrading the GIS for on‑demand dynamic mapping. “They would charge us to generate PDFs of high resolution heat maps where they would actually indicate where for which provider the signal is good, not good,” Pablo said.
Why it matters: commissioners said accessible maps could help residents choose carriers, support emergency responders and first responders who sometimes lack reliable cellular connectivity, and provide visual evidence…
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