Roraback to Introduce Legislation Requiring Generator Backup for Cell Phone Towers

Goshen, CT – State Senator Andrew Roraback (R-Goshen) today announced plans to introduce legislation requiring cell phone towers to be equipped with electric generators in order to remain operable during power outages.

“As cell phones become more and more ubiquitous, ensuring uninterrupted service, especially during a severe and sustained power outage, has become more than a matter of convenience, it is a matter of public safety,” said Senator Roraback. “During a sustained electrical outage like that which Connecticut experienced in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene and like the one we are still experiencing this week, a cell phone can be one’s only means of communication with emergency personnel and services. Moreover, it can be the only means of communication between state agencies, first responders and local officials responding to a crisis. Equipping cell phone towers with generator backup is an affordable, common sense way to improve communication and public safety.”

AT&T and other Connecticut service providers experienced widespread disruptions to their networks following this past weekend’s storm and power outages. While some of the disruptions were the result of physical damage to phone towers, the majority of disruptions were the result of electrical outages. In response service providers have been scrambling to deploy more than 1,000 electric generators across Connecticut to power their networks. Senator Roraback’s legislation will require the service providers to have generators in place before an emergency situation occurs.