The Bowie IT Committee is tackling our ongoing cell service problems by encouraging residents to use a new FCC app that helps report dead zones and slow coverage, aiming to hold carriers accountable for better service.

Here are the highlights:

  • Residents have complained about poor cell coverage and dead zones in parts of the city.
  • The Bowie Information Technology Committee is working to address these issues.
  • They are collaborating with the City Council and staff to inform residents about tools for reporting inadequate cell service.
  • The FCC has launched an app for users to report outages, dead zones, and slow service.
  • The app automatically tests users’ connections and reports data anonymously to the FCC.
  • Residents can also manually report dead spots through the app or via the FCC webpage.
  • The goal is to empower Bowie customers to hold cell carriers accountable for better service.
  • Improving cell coverage is crucial for residents working from home, impacting their livelihoods and safety.

Originally Published on October 6, 2023Last Modified on October 6, 2023

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City IT Committee Tackling Slow Cell Service

Residents have long complained about poor cell coverage and dead zones in parts of the city. The Bowie Information Technology Committee is working to fix it.

With public announcements and collaboration with the City Council and staff, volunteer IT Committee members are working to get out the word about practical tools to report cell service below advertised levels.

"We've been in the city for twelve years and don't understand why cell service cuts out on our street," said one Bowie resident in the Rolling Hills neighborhood, "It's 2023. You'd think this wouldn't be an issue."

Addressing cell service that doesn't match carriers' advertised coverage, the FCC has deployed an app for customers to report outages, dead zones, and slow service.

The app, downloadable on Android and IPhone, automatically tests users' connection. The data is then reported to the FCC.

Reports are anonymous and are compiled and used to hold carriers accountable to improve cell coverage.

The FCC apps can also let customers manually report dead spots. Residents can access tests on the FCC webpage if they don't wish to download the app.

"The hope is enough Bowie customers will start using these tools to hold cell carriers accountable," said a Bowie IT Committee member, "Maryland's fifth largest city should be able to rely on good cell connections and reliable service."

"There's also the fact more residents than ever are working and staying at home who depend on good coverage," the member added, "This isn't just an issue of convenience, but of people's livelihoods and safety."

The FCC apps are available for download on Android and IPhone, linked here:

For Android and Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=FCCAPPs

For IPhone and IPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fcc-speed-test/id794322383

Learn more about this issue at the FCC site, here.