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Bill to address rural cellular service heads to governor

Bill to address rural cellular service heads to governor

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine would explore how to expand cellular telephone service to underserved areas under legislation heading to the governor's desk. Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine would explore how to expand cellular telephone service to under-served areas under legislation heading to the governor’s desk.

The Senate Tuesday enacted the legislation, which heads to Democratic Gov. Janet Mills.

The original bill required the state to develop a plan to install wireless base stations at state-owned facilities.

The amended legislation requires the state to come up with a plan to leverage state assets to expand cellular telephone service. That could include installing wireless base stations at state-owned facilities.

The Department of Economic and Community Development would have until February to submit a report on the plan.

Mills has 10 days to sign the bills, veto them or allow them to become law without her signature.

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