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Utilities Commission to seek $40,000 for cellular consultant; explores Motorola trunking and carrier outreach
Summary
Commissioners discussed pursuing a $40,000 consultant request to the Board of Selectmen to support cellular‑service negotiations and technical work, explored Motorola digital trunking as an interim emergency communications option and reported outreach to Verizon, Frontier, AT&T and T‑Mobile.
Members of the Utilities Commission of the Town of New Canaan discussed Dec. 17 a proposed $40,000 request to the Board of Selectmen to hire outside consultants to advance cellular service, small‑cell and emergency communications work and to help coordinate with carriers.
Unidentified Speaker 2 proposed asking for $40,000 for consultant support, saying, "So I would suggest 40." Commissioners agreed the volunteer commission lacks capacity to lead extensive carrier negotiations and outreach on its own and encouraged making the formal budget request to the Board of Selectmen or otherwise raising the issue in public comment.
Commissioners described recent outreach to carriers. Unidentified Speaker 2 said he had talked with a Verizon regional contact, shared the commission’s Ookla report and planned follow‑up; he also said Verizon’s purchase of Frontier could improve backhaul opportunities once Frontier completes optical network work. Unidentified Speaker 4 reported emailing AT&T and T‑Mobile contacts copied on the siting council correspondence and had not yet received responses.
On emergency communications, Unidentified Speaker 1 said Motorola, through distributor Northeast Communications, offers digital trunking that "will allow data modem traffic, or heavier data more capacity for data modem traffic over the existing Motorola emergency radio system," which could support encrypted data transfers to medical facilities. He cautioned that costs remain uncertain and that satellite or cellular solutions may not be feasible within a two‑year window. The commission agreed further technical analysis and consultant assistance would be helpful.
No formal budget motion was made at the meeting; commissioners agreed to prepare the request and pursue Board of Selectmen engagement. Unidentified Speaker 2 said he would attend or speak at the Board of Selectmen meeting to present the rationale if needed.
