Cellphone Networks Prepare for Hurricane Impacts

Residents in Asheville, North Carolina made calls from their neighborhood after record flooding and damage from Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024. Anthony Leone and his wife, Corinne Saunders, living in North Carolina’s Outer Banks for over 20 years, are preparing for hurricane season. They plan not to use their cell phones to conserve battery life. The National Weather Service anticipates below-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year, but the potential for a powerful storm still exists. High winds and rain can disrupt power, affecting cell towers.

Cellphone carriers are enhancing their preparations with tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and drones. These technologies aim to ensure uninterrupted communication for customers during hurricanes.

Strategies Employed by Cellphone Companies

Verizon Wireless initiates its hurricane response plans about a week before an expected storm, according to Srini Kalapala, the company’s senior vice president of wireless engineering and operations. Verizon uses drones to capture pre- and post-storm images of coverage areas to assess damage. AI then pinpoints damage locations for engineers and technicians conducting repairs.

Verizon employs mobile tools such as ‘cell on wheels’ (COW) and drones known as HAWKs (high altitude wireless kennewhat) to provide service when stationary towers fail. These efforts have reduced restoration times significantly.

AT&T also begins its preparations a week before a hurricane. Shannon Browning, associate director of AT&T’s Network Disaster Recovery team, notes that its disaster response fleet includes boats, barges, and helicopters for accessing remote areas.

As natural disaster seasons overlap, AT&T has streamlined its disaster response approach by merging its teams into one group. Similarly, T-Mobile prepares months in advance by using AI to conserve backup batteries and provide free satellite service if power outages occur during storms.

According to Jon Freier, T-Mobile’s chief operating officer, customers value maintaining smartphone connectivity, even during power outages.

User Experiences During Storms

Leone has experienced varying levels of cell service across different providers. While past carriers offered limited service, his current provider AT&T has been fairly reliable during storms. Despite temporary service losses during power outages, restoration is usually quick.

For first responders, consistent communication is crucial. Companies like Verizon and AT&T work closely with emergency services to prioritize their networks for responders like law enforcement and medical teams.

Peter Antevy, medical director in Broward County, Florida, highlights the importance of robust communications for telemedicine and live updates. Emergency service chiefs, like Amy Weber from Galveston County Health District, emphasize the need for company representatives in disaster planning meetings.

Jackie Santillan, a Houston-area resident, expressed concern about limited connectivity. Her petition for a new cell tower in her area reflects a broader issue of service limitations. T-Mobile has committed to improving network resilience, including upgrades and new tower constructions in affected areas.