Senator Charles E. Schumer wants to crackdown on phone companies who are falsely listing their services on coverage maps and is asking for the public’s help.

Schumer says he has been pushing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate if network providers are fairly and accurately advertising wireless coverage so that consumers can make informed choices.

The senator is asking New Yorkers to report to his office the specific locations of dead zones in their area and which wireless carrier they use.

The data is necessary to locate which areas are inaccurately advertised as areas with good coverage. New Yorkers who wish to participate can submit their local cell phone dead zones via the Senator’s website, at Schumer.Senate.Gov/WirelessDeadzone.

New Yorkers will be able to submit this dead zone information directly to the Senator's Office, and results will be sent directly to the FCC.

The deadline to submit dead zone information is Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.

Schumer said that the information on dead zones provided by New York residents will enable the FCC to pinpoint the exact locations where wireless companies are false reporting good coverage, and then crack down on the lack of accuracy in those coverage maps.

“These false coverage maps may be good for business, but not for consumers living in those areas, who decide on which wireless carrier to use based on whether or not they provide good service in their area,” said Schumer. “Consumers need accurate information in order to make informed decisions in the marketplace, but these deceptive coverage maps may obscure the truth and put consumers at a major disadvantage. That is why I am launching a statewide crowdsourcing campaign that will allow customers to report the dead zones they have experienced first-hand across Upstate New York which will provide the evidence necessary for the FCC to crack down on inaccurate coverage maps.”

In recent years, many New York consumers have reported increasing problems with poor network performance, particularly in more rural areas where there are fewer cellular towers and less wireless infrastructure, Schumer said.

Despite these reports of poor service in several areas, says that wireless carriers are labeling regions on coverage maps as having good coverage. In reality, many of these areas are dead zones. Schumer said that at best, inaccurate coverage information is inconvenient and expensive for customers; at its worst, it could pose a serious threat to safety. He says that wireless carriers often use coverage maps to show that their company offers superior coverage compared to competitors. Customers rely on these coverage maps advertised by the carriers to make their purchasing decisions.

Schumer says poor wireless service, and especially inaccurate coverage maps that hide dead zones, hurt consumers and businesses in Upstate New York in several ways.

“It is unfair to consumers who do their research before making a decision regarding cell phone carriers and are left surprised following the purchase when they realize many areas in Upstate New York are complete dead zones,” Schumer said.

Wireless services also support global positioning system (GPS) products that are essential to residents and tourists alike. Schumer said the lack of wireless coverage could make tourists reluctant to travel to an area knowing they will not have the ability to use their GPS technology to explore the area or make calls in an emergency situation.

Schumer said quality wireless service must be an essential part of modern U.S. infrastructure, just like water, housing and clean air, and consumers deserve access to information that allows them to make informed decisions about their wireless carriers. “The FCC needs to better ensure network carriers are advertising accurate coverage maps for convenience, economic development and public safety purposes,” the senator said.