Verizon network recovery marked by ‘unprecedented’ damage to fiber network

Hurricane Michael caused widespread devastation when it made landfall near Mexico Beach in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 4 hurricane on Oct. 10. While authorities are still assessing damage and expect the death toll, currently at 18 according to a CNN report from Oct. 13, the big four U.S. carriers are working on network recovery operations to support first responder and public safety officials, as well as restore cellular to consumers in the hard-hit area.

Verizon

Verizon’s network recovery efforts are marked by what the carrier described as “unprecedented” damage to its fiber network in impacted Florida communities. On Oct. 15, Verizon reps wrote in an update that 99% of the Georgia network was in service and 98% of the Florida network was operational. “We continue to focus with urgency on restoration efforts in the hardest hit areas of Panama City, Panama City Beach and the surrounding communities.”

Verizon set up a “Wireless Emergency Communications Center” at its Panama City retail location, 411A E 23rd St., and has a satellite-connected cell site available, as well as charging station, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The operator has deployed other satellite-connected assets, including the Big Red Command Trailer for the Bay County Sheriff’s Office; a tactical command trailer for the Panama City Beach Police Department; two connected trailers for the Salvation Army and Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center; and mobile cell sites for the Bay County Emergency Operations Center; Panama City PD, Lynn Haven EOC, Tyndall Air Force Base, Springfield PD and Parker PD.

AT&T

Ahead of Hurricane Michael’s landfall, AT&T mobilized 32 cells-on-wheels and cells-on-light-trucks, seven emergency communications vehicles and emergency communications portables, one drone-based cell (a flying COW) and one hazmat and mobile command center.

In an Oct. 13, AT&T said, “Overall our network is performing well and nearly fully restored in most affected areas. Our teams continue to work to repair and restore service, and deploy additional recovery equipment and portable cell sites (COLTs) to support customers and first responders. We are moving quickly to keep our customers, FirstNet subscribers and public safety agencies connected as they work to keep our communities safe.”

Sprint

Ahead of Hurricane Michael, Sprint activated emergency response personnel and began “operational readiness checks”of generators, as well as staged fuel distribution equipment. The company also said it had cells-on-wheels, cells-on-light-trucks, and satellite-connected COLTs on hand, and was prepping charging stations.

T-Mobile US

On Oct. 12, T-Mobile US said sites in North Carolina and Georgia “are almost fully recovered” and full network recovery in Virginia was expected “within 24-48 hours.” In the parts of Florida impacted, “particularly areas such as Panama City, Quincy, Marianna and Mars Hill where power and fiber transport outages are widespread, will likely experience a longer recovery timeline,” according to the company.