Latest Updates

August 14, 2024, 1:52 p.m. ET

Our thoughts continue to be with those who are recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Debby. Overall, our wireless network performed well in areas impacted by the storm and is operating normally across all affected states.  

We thank federal, state and local officials for their partnership and assistance with helping our recovery efforts. We would also like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the first responders for their service to the communities impacted by this storm. Staying connected is critical and we know this need is even greater before, during and after any natural disaster. 

August 7, 2024, 5:02 p.m. ET 

At the request of public safety, our FirstNet ROG team has positioned two on-air assets in Bulloch County, GA, as part of our response to the ongoing storm. As Debby moves north along the coast, our team will follow closely to provide essential support.

Our disaster response teams remain staged in affected areas, preparing to respond quickly to restoration needs. We remain committed to keeping our communities and first responders connected, standing by to assist whenever and wherever we are needed.

In less than 48 hours since the storm made landfall, our teams have restored all affected cell sites in Florida and service is operating normally in the state. Our wireless network continues to operate normally in South Carolina, and North Carolina.


August 6, 2024, 5:23 p.m. ET

Our thoughts are with the affected communities as Tropical Storm Debby continues to move through additional states. We understand how important it is to stay connected during times like these and we will continue to provide updates throughout our recovery work. 

Despite initial impacts, our wireless network in both Florida and Georgia has performed well and is operating at more than 99% of normal. Overall, our wireless network in South Carolina continues to operate normally.  

In areas where the storm has already cleared, our network teams are working as quickly and safely as possible to gain access, assess damage and restore service. 

Our teams and FirstNet liaisons are in contact with federal, state, and local officials on our deployment efforts to support public safety and the communities they serve. So far, the FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG)™, has responded to eight FirstNet emergency support requests from public safety. 

Some customers in affected areas may be experiencing home phone and internet service interruptions due to storm damage and commercial power outages. Customers experiencing issues with their AT&T service can reach us at att.com, on the myAT&T app or over the phone at 800-288-2020. Wireline customers can also visit att.com/outages to sign up for one-time service restoration texts.


August 5, 2024, 3:13 p.m. ET

Tropical Storm Debby made landfall as a hurricane earlier this morning. We are experiencing impacts to our wireless (cell) and wireline (internet/home phone) network in some areas of Florida. We’re also seeing impacts to our wireless network in Georgia.

In preparation for the tropical storm, we mobilized one of the industry’s largest disaster response programs – the Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) team. Additionally, the FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG)™, led by a dedicated team of former first responders, is working to support public safety’s emergency communications and has liaisons engaged with local and federal agencies. We also teamed up with the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) and US Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory (USDEANL) to develop the Climate Risk and Resilience Portal (ClimRR) – which allows us to leverage sophisticated climate-science data to improve our network preparedness. ClimRR helps us identify specific flood prone locations so our teams can elevate generators inside critical network facilities onto platforms.

Our NDR team has strategically established staging yards with hundreds of generators in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. We have positioned high-water vehicles, airboats, and additional staff at major network facilities to tackle flood conditions. Once the storm passes, there are about 200 Network Operations restoration crews on standby and a fleet of network equipment ready to be deployed to keep first responders and customers connected.

As Potential Tropical Cyclone Four Approaches,
AT&T Prepares Network, Offers Tips to Help You Stay Connected


Key Takeaways
:

  • AT&T has initiated its storm preparedness plan as Potential Tropical Cyclone Four tracks toward Florida.
  • The AT&T Weather Operations Center has a team of degreed meteorologists delivering business-specific weather intelligence, analytics, and forecasts.
  • The FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG)™ – led by a dedicated team of former first responders – is working around the clock to support public safety’s emergency communications and has liaisons engaged with local and federal agencies.
     

AT&T has initiated its storm preparedness plan as Potential Tropical Cyclone Four tracks toward Florida. The AT&T Weather Operations Center has a team of degreed meteorologists delivering business-specific weather intelligence, analytics and forecasts. Their expertise aids in mitigating the risk of impact to the AT&T network and assets, and helps to keep our employees safe.

Our network preparations include:

  • Topping off generators with fuel at our cell sites and switch facilities.
  • Testing back-up batteries at cell sites.
  • Protecting our physical facilities against flooding.
  • Staging emergency response and network recovery equipment in strategic locations for quick deployment following the storm.
  • Prepping dedicated FirstNet® deployable network assets for use by public safety agencies on FirstNet, as requested.

“Customers rely on us, especially during major storms,” said Joe York, president, AT&T Florida. That's why we practice readiness drills and simulations throughout the year. And we do all we can to have our networks prepared when severe weather strikes. We’re working to position equipment and crews and are ready to respond if needed. We’re also closely linked with Florida public officials in their storm response efforts.”

We encourage our customers and residents in areas potentially affected by the storm to prepare as well. Below are communication tips to help you stay connected.

  • Save battery life. To save your phone's battery during a power outage, try power-save mode, turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, delete apps, or enable Airplane Mode.
  • Keep mobile devices charged. Make sure to fully charge your mobile devices before a weather event and have an alternate way to charge your smartphone in case of power outages. A car charger or backup battery pack can be useful. If you have multiple devices, consider a multi-port backup battery pack to keep them charged.
  • Keep your mobile devices dry. Mobile phones can be a critical lifeline during a storm. To protect yours, store it in a water-resistant case, floating waterproof case, or plastic bag.
  • Protect vital documents. Back up important info and documents like insurance and medical papers to the cloud or computer for easy access from any device.
  • Have a family communications plan. Review the plan with your family and choose someone out of the area as a central point of contact in case your family is separated.
  • Update emergency contacts. It is important to store emergency contacts in your mobile phone, including numbers for the police, fire station, hospital, and family members.
  • Stay informed with your mobile device. If a storm causes a power outage, you can still access local weather reports using your mobile device.
  • Take advantage of your smartphone’s features. Use your phone camera to photograph and record any damage before you file an insurance claim. Location-based technology (GPS) can help find evacuation routes or track a family member’s location.
  • Be prepared for high call volume and keep non-emergency calls to a minimum. During severe weather, many people may try to call at the same time, which may cause network congestion. If you get a "fast busy" signal on your phone, hang up, wait a few seconds, then try again.
  • Try texting vs. calling. Because it requires fewer network resources, text messages may go through faster than voice calls.

AT&T Preparations

AT&T’s Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) program is one of the largest in the country. Our NDR fleet consists of more than 750 pieces of specialized response equipment readied for quick deployment, including:

  • Mobile cell sites and mobile command centers
  • Flying COWs® (Cell on Wings)
  • Drones for assessing cell site damage
  • Emergency communications vehicles
  • Basecamp operations with sleeping bunks, bathrooms, showers, kitchen, 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

In addition, FirstNet, Built with AT&T – America’s Public Safety Network – and its dedicated fleet of more than 180 deployable network assets are at the ready. The FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG)™ – led by a dedicated team of former first responders – is working around the clock to support public safety’s emergency communications and has liaisons engaged with local and federal agencies.

 


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