Hurricane Ian is expected to impact Florida over the next few days and AT&T has detailed its preparations for the weather event which include the waiving of overage fees for those affected as well as having emergency response and network recovery equipment standing by in strategic locations. We've got more details for you after the break.
Besides installing more generators at critical cell towers and switching facilities, AT&T has also moved essential electronics to network operations that are above the expected flood levels. The carrier's Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) team are also on standby in Florida with equipment such as technology recovery and support trailers that can be deployed as necessary as quickly as possible.
AT&T's preparations include the following:
- Topping off fuel for generators.
- Protecting physical facilities against flooding.
- Staging other emergency response and network recovery equipment in strategic locations for quick deployment following the storm.
- Staging dedicated FirstNet deployable network assets for use by public safety agencies on FirstNet to request as needed.
Response equipment readied in the wake of an event includes:
- Mobile cell sites and command centers
- Portable generators and fuel
- Amphibious vehicles to reach equipment in flooded areas
- Emergency communications vehicles (ECVs)
- Drones for assessing cell site damage
- Self-sufficient base camps: complete with sleeping bunks, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry facilities, an on-site nurse and meals ready to eat (MREs).
- Hazmat equipment and supplies
- Technology and support trailers to provide infrastructure support and mobile heating ventilation and air conditioning
- Internal and external resources for initial assessment and recovery efforts
Besides manpower and equipment, AT&T is also waiving talk, text, and data overage charges for both postpaid and prepaid customers with billing addresses in 828 zip codes across Florida from today through October 28th, 2022. Whilst AT&T will still issue overage alerts, affected accounts will reflect credits and/or waived data, voice, and text charges.
You can stay up to date with AT&T's assistance during Hurricane Ian via the link below:
