Polk sending maps to wireless company’s engineers

COLUMBUS — Polk County recently conducted a survey to see where there are issues with Verizon cellular service.

The survey garnered 506 responses from the public, with County Manager Marche Pittman saying he was impressed with the response.

The survey was done through a website, which reached people mostly on Facebook. Comments on the county’s post named problem areas, including Lake Lanier and between Columbus and Mill Spring, in particular.

Pittman said the county has sent the information to Verizon engineers.

“Hopefully we can get something done, especially by putting it in map form,” Pittman said. “We are sending the information to an engineer.”

Verizon engineers agreed to review feedback regarding the potential problems.

“Due to numerous complaints regarding ongoing issues in Polk County with Verizon Wireless, Polk County Local Government is asking citizens to provide information to help Verizon target the troubled areas,” stated the county’s survey.

The survey particularly targeted residents who have experienced service issues within the county.

Pittman said this week he has not yet heard back from the Verizon engineer on the survey results.

Polk County residents have complained for a few years about cell service, as well as broadband service.

Polk County established a broadband committee in 2016 and conducted a similar survey to target problem areas with broadband service. Polk County worked with the North Carolina Department of Commerce during the process.

The committee met with broadband and phone providers following the survey, which was conducted in the summer of 2017.

The broadband survey resulted in 679 responses from the public, including 644 online responses and 35 handwritten responses.

The county is now waiting to see if any broadband providers are interested in responding to the poor coverage areas.

Polk County started the broadband committee after residents expressed concern over having little to no internet access, particularly in the unincorporated areas of the county.