For years, Bow residents have wrestled with frustratingly poor cell service, but efforts to address the issue are gaining momentum as the town’s telecommunications committee prepares to host an informational session next week to outline progress and potential solutions.

On Sept. 9 at 7 p.m., a public information session will be held at Baker Free Library, where committee members will present their findings from a recent mapping study and community survey. Residents can also join the meeting virtually through Zoom.

“Basically just be transparent because that’s what we’ve been trying to do all along, take questions and just see where everybody wants to go from there,” said Dee Treybig, the committee chair. “We’re trying to get these areas built so that we can have the better coverage.”

A recent community survey, which gathered responses from 784 residents, revealed at least 40% of participants experienced almost non-existent cell coverage, with many unable to make or receive calls.

The mapping study, conducted by Isotrope LLC, a Massachusetts-based wireless company zeroed in on four key areas where coverage is critically lacking.

Dead zones stretch from Bow High School and areas along White Rock Hill Road, continuing up to Page Road and beyond. There are also significant gaps around Dunbarton Center Road and Woodhill Road near the Dunbarton line.

The study also brought forward recommendations for new cell tower sites to bridge the town’s coverage gaps.

Three potential locations were identified near the high school, with the east side of White Rock Hill Road offering the strongest coverage.

A 180-foot tower between Woodhill Road and Dunbarton Center Road is proposed to effectively fill the service gap in South Bow. A tower on a hill near the intersection of Gile Hill Road and Great Road would improve coverage near Dunbarton. But it falls short of addressing the ongoing issues in western Bow.

The committee aims to take a comprehensive approach, following the lead of towns like Sutton and Strafford, which successfully created town-wide plans to tackle similar issues.

“Instead of just piecemealing it together and sticking towers in certain spots, you actually have a plan to do maximum coverage with minimum towers,” said Treybig. ” Just making sure that it’s an organized effort.”

To attend the public information session on Zoom, join meeting link.