1Urging the Commonwealth to upgrade its broadband communications
2network for use by the private and public sectors in the
3Northern Tier of this Commonwealth.

4WHEREAS, <-Many of the Some communities in the region of this
5Commonwealth referred to as the Northern Tier lack competitive
6access to broadband communications and wireless phone services
7in the region, which impedes the speed of response in matters of
8public safety, economic development and research, analysis and
9education; and

10WHEREAS, The Marcellus Shale natural gas industry is actively
11developing extensive operations in the Northern Tier and lacks
12access to adequate broadband communications and wireless phone
13services in <-the region some areas, impacting the speed and
14effectiveness of industry development; and

15WHEREAS, The wireless communications industry did not have
16great financial incentive in the past to develop infrastructure

1to improve coverage in the Northern Tier because of limited
2population; <-however, utilizing and

3WHEREAS, The provisions of 66 Pa.C.S. § 3014 (relating to
4network modernization plans) require the universal deployment of
5broadband to the Northern Tier; and

6WHEREAS, Twenty-nine rural local exchange carriers completed
7their 100% broadband deployment by December 31, 2008; and

8WHEREAS, Two rural local exchange carriers are scheduled to
9complete 100% broadband deployment by December 31, 2013; and

10WHEREAS, The remaining local exchange carrier is scheduled to
11complete its 100% broadband deployment no later than December
1231, 2015; and

13WHEREAS, 4G LTE wireless broadband technology is being
14deployed in the Northern Tier to help complete that requirement;
15and

16WHEREAS, Utilizing Commonwealth-owned infrastructure and
17wireless communications, <-industry can some carriers may be able 
18to eliminate much of its <-their upfront infrastructure
19development costs and more effectively cover the region with <-its 
<-20their services to meet the expanding communications needs; and

21WHEREAS, The Commonwealth owns and maintains a vast number of
22communications towers and related infrastructure across the
23Northern Tier that must be upgraded to adequately support
24multiple Commonwealth needs for enhanced broadband
25communications in the region; and

26WHEREAS, Financial, engineering and construction support from
27wireless communications and natural gas industries could be
28provided to ensure that the Commonwealth's communications tower
29sites, related facilities and resulting broadband communications
30network meet or exceed their industries' highest quality control

1and performance standards to maximize their effective, long-term
2use; and

3WHEREAS, The resulting broadband communications network would
4significantly benefit all pertinent Commonwealth agencies,
5authorities, boards, commissions, councils, departments, offices
6and communities in the region and the development of regional
7business and industry, including, but not limited to, the
8Marcellus Shale natural gas industry and wireless communications
9industry; and

10WHEREAS, The community, business and industry safety,
11economic development, research analysis and educational
12opportunities are of paramount importance; and

13WHEREAS, The Commonwealth should encourage, invite and guide
14wireless communications and natural gas industry collaboration
15to facilitate the most mutually advantageous outcome to all
16parties in the Northern Tier; therefore be it

17RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
18Commonwealth to upgrade its broadband communications network for
19use by the private and public sectors in the Northern Tier of
20this Commonwealth.