The Monroe County Dead Cell Zone Project reports AT&T has increased its wireless connectivity in both Monroe and Northampton counties.

The project is a group of dedicated residents, as well as elected and appointed officials focused on getting Monroe County the best broadband and cell service at the most affordable pricing.

The new AT&T site sits high above Wind Gap along Route 33 and will enhance coverage north toward Saylorsburg and south toward Ackermanville. These enhancements also bring Band 14 spectrum to the area. Band 14 is nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the government specifically for FirstNet. It provides public safety with a dedicated lane of connectivity when needed.

FirstNet is built with AT&T in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority. It’s designed to help first responders in Pennsylvania and across the country connect to the critical information they need, when they need it, so they can keep themselves and the communities they serve safer.

From 2016 to 2018, AT&T has invested more than $775 million in its Pennsylvania wireless and wired networks. These investments boost reliability, coverage, speed and overall performance for residents and businesses. In 2020, AT&T will invest more than $20 billion in the U.S.

Project leader Kelly Lewis thanked Chuck Leonard for his foresight in supporting multiple communications projects over the past 15 years that have better-positioned Monroe County and former County Commissioner Janet Weidensaul for her long-standing leadership on Monroe2020, Monroe2030 and dozens of critical infrastructure projects.

Leonard is the executive director of the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corp. Calling Monroe County one of the most challenging counties for broadband and cell services, Lewis also thanked Blue Ridge Cable for its extensive investment and service across Monroe County.

Lewis asked municipalities to quickly identify six to eight preferred locations for cell sites or cell-site optimizations. Prior projects have created strong recurring revenue for fire and ambulance companies, nonprofits, resorts, community associations, school districts and municipalities, as well as private property owners. Lewis thanked Bob Heeter of Saylorsburg for offering his property as a cell location. Sites must meet zoning and tower regulations

In creating a Monroe Asset List of available cell locations, the project is asking fire and ambulance companies, municipalities, nonprofits and private property owners to send site locations to Kelly@LewisStrategic.com.

The next meetings of the Monroe County Dead Cell Zone Project will be at 9 a.m. on March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4 and July 2 at the Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors, 2214 W. Main St., Stroudsburg.