Hilton Head mayor asked to improve cell service

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — A committee looking at ways to improve gaps in cell phone service on Hilton Head says the ball is in the mayor’s court.

The Island Packet of Hilton Head reports (http://bit.ly/sEYTpL) that Mayor Drew Laughlin was given a basketball Tuesday containing the words “fix cell phone service on Hilton Head Island.”

The panel wants a short and predictable process for approving new cell phone towers. The panel says cell phone carriers have held off on putting up new towers because of a lengthy town approval process and restrictions on where towers can be placed.

The panel is also suggesting that the town treat cell phones as essential infrastructure such as water and sewer. It also proposed the town develop more Wi-Fi hot spots for residents and visitors.

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Information from: The Island Packet, http://www.islandpacket.com