Victims of domestic violence often have just seconds to make a call for help. Unfortunately, in many rural parts of West Virginia, the calls never go through due to unreliable cell phone service. The importance of reliable cell phone service can mean the difference between life and death.

That is why the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence is extremely concerned about a proposal by the Federal Communications Commission to cut support for cell phone towers in rural America.

In smaller communities, wireless carriers cannot always justify the costs of building cell towers. However, there is a federal program called the Universal Service Fund that helps build reliable communications networks in rural areas. Unfortunately, the FCC placed a cap on the wireless portion of the fund earlier this year, and now proposes drastic cuts.

Dozens of new cell phone towers could be canceled or delayed.

The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence is concerned that these cuts could mean risking lives to save money. Reliable cell phone service is a matter of public safety and a necessity for first responders to emergencies.

It is an issue of equal access, fairness and public safety to include residents of rural America in providing the security that reliable cell phone service offers - especially to people who are in crisis and for whom safety is just a phone call away.

Rosser is communications coordinator for the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

That is why the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence is extremely concerned about a proposal by the Federal Communications Commission to cut support for cell phone towers in rural America.

In smaller communities, wireless carriers cannot always justify the costs of building cell towers. However, there is a federal program called the Universal Service Fund that helps build reliable communications networks in rural areas. Unfortunately, the FCC placed a cap on the wireless portion of the fund earlier this year, and now proposes drastic cuts.

Dozens of new cell phone towers could be canceled or delayed.

The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence is concerned that these cuts could mean risking lives to save money. Reliable cell phone service is a matter of public safety and a necessity for first responders to emergencies.

It is an issue of equal access, fairness and public safety to include residents of rural America in providing the security that reliable cell phone service offers - especially to people who are in crisis and for whom safety is just a phone call away.

Rosser is communications coordinator for the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.