2021-01-07 Windward Exh C AT&T Mobility USE 20-000084

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So, access to the internet is even more critically important to Hawai`i's population particularly for rural areas like Puna. Cellular service is sometimes is the only available broadband internet service and is a vital lifeline during emergencies. In addition, there is an expanded demand for telehealth services on Hawaii island to fill the growing demand for remote community health care services caused by the pandemic. Telehealth bridges the gap in medical care for patients who may be unable to physically be present in doctor's offices or hospitals and they also can be reached by specialists that may be off island. Also, the twenty-eighteen (2018) eruption of Kilauea Volcano in lower Puna also highlights the dramatic need for expanded cellular communications in the area for both the general public and emergency response personnel. During this event that dramatically affected the Puna District as we all know AT & T placed a temporary Cellular on Wheels (COW) or a COW in Kalapana to provide basic cellular services to the local community. But AT & T has determined the need for this proposed facility in Puna through a combined analysis of the market demand, service requests, radio frequency engineering design, and input from public safety officials. The proposed facility will provide all AT & T FirstNet customers reliable wireless service in the area which would result in fewer dropped calls, improve quality, and access to emergency 911 calls. Enhance FirstNet coverage will allow for the utilization of priority and presumption of the priority and presumption feature by first responders and wireless applications as referenced by the Hawaii Fire Department earlier in their testimony. This is an example for the Hawaii County Fire Department that uses real time data for emergency conditions to be updated prior to their arrival onsite. Similarly, the Hawaii County Police Department utilizes FirstNet network in concert with County owned Land Mobile Radio (LMR) system to provide communications and rapid data access. Numerous agencies and community members have provided the Commission with letters of support that are included in the application for this proposed facility. The FirstNet authority provided a letter on January 4h, 2021 and in part stated this network has been a top priority for first responders and public safety agencies in Hawaii and throughout the County and throughout the Country, excuse me and has been designed based on their specific expressed needs with coverage and capacity being paramount for this area. The Hawaii County Police Department similarly sent in a letter of support on January 4, 2021 and stated in part that in concert with the County owned mobile land system the Department and its officers depend upon cellular to do their jobs efficiently. In the event of poor LMR reception cellular coverage may provide a vital means of communication which helps ensure officers safety and in turn increases public safety. The area of lower Puna in the area of Leilani Estates and beyond the Kalapana area has intermittent to poor LMR reception. Any improvements in community capabilities in that area would be welcomed by our department. Similarly, the State Department of Health Office of Primary Care and Rural Health submitted a letter on January 4th, 2021 emphasizing the need for expanded wireless infrastructure to support telemedicine as I mentioned earlier. Their letter stated in part that telehealth is being embraced by our organization and other providers on-island, across the State and the country, as a way to provide expanded access to community healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the EXHIBIT C 7