Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi Public Service Commission is pushing a program to help phone companies focus on areas with intolerably limited cell-phone coverage. Commissioner Brandon Presley adopted the multi-state "Zap the Gap" effort in hopes of filling the coverage gaps in areas of North Mississippi still needing service or more improved coverage.

"Unfortunately, there are areas in our state, especially rural areas in North Mississippi, that still lack good wireless coverage, despite the fact that millions of dollars have been collected by wireless providers in Mississippi for this very purpose," Presley said in a press release, adding that the situation can be improved by getting the public involved through Zap the Gap Consumer Wireless Surveys.

Presley acknowledged that more and more Mississippians, especially younger residents, are abandoning their traditional house phone lines in lieu of a cell-phone, so better coverage, he said, is increasingly essential.

Public Service Commissioner Lynn Posey said Presley beat the rest of the commission to the punch on releasing the press release.

"Coverage is pretty good in my central area, but there are a still a lot of gaps in Hinds County, even if companies have really stepped up their efforts over the last few years," Posey said. "I live in a rural area and I know my coverage is not what I'd want it to be, and there are other people out there who need additional coverage."

Commissioners are asking residents to report dead zones by completing a Zap the Gap Consumer Wireless Survey, available at the PSC Web site, or mail requests to the commission at: Zap the Gap, P.O. Box 1174, Jackson, Miss. 39215-1174.

PSC staff will collect information from the survey forms to determine demand and coverage gaps and forward the information to wireless providers to help bring attention to the non-serviced areas.

Posey said the information benefits more than one party.

"Of course a lot of it is about helping the cell phone companies, but it's a mutual benefit for us too, because good coverage is helpful for economic development."