Published 10-10-24
Submitted by T-Mobile
BELLEVUE, Wash., October 10, 2024 /CSRwire/ - T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) has activated its emergency operations and preparedness plan as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, mobilizing its emergency teams to help keep customers, communities, first responders and others connected. In summary:
Network Modernization, Technology and Hardening
T-Mobile continues to make investments in its network nationwide to prepare for the unpredictable and challenging nature of extreme weather. This includes tapping into the capabilities of AI and data to help support real-time response and faster recovery. An experienced T-Mobile team who has deep familiarity with the challenges associated with massive storms like Milton is at the ready in Florida and knows what it takes to quickly recover network impacts. The team has taken steps to harden its network, using extensive analysis of historical data, customer density and meteorologist experts to proactively strengthen the network’s infrastructure to help reduce interruptions. This includes adding overlapping coverage, installing back up power sources to towers and key network sites, building redundant backhaul routes for cell sites and core network, and performing ongoing inspection and maintenance of all facilities.
T-Mobile’s network modernization employs innovative technologies that aim to improve resilience, including:
This multi-faceted approach helped keep a vast majority of customers connected in the midst of Hurricane Helene recovery: approximately 10% of T-Mobile customers in the path experienced coverage loss in the first 24 hours following the storm even though 30% of T-Mobile’s network sites were impacted. Within 72 hours, less than 1% of customers remained affected, primarily due to power outages and other challenging and unsafe conditions.
Equipment Ready to Deploy
T-Mobile’s emergency management team, local teams and National Operations Centers are working together to monitor the network around the clock. Local network and market teams and field technicians use knowledge of the area to provide critical understanding of potential impact and implement real-time mitigation strategies. The teams are also pre-staging a fleet of equipment and relief supplies at our emergency response facilities in Live Oak, Florida and Plant City, Florida along with our Everglades Mobile Switching Office in Sunrise, Florida for rapid deployment and activation as conditions safely allow that will provide critical network connectivity, power and Wi-Fi for first responders, disaster organizations and communities at locations such as fire and police departments, incident command posts, shelters reunification centers, hospitals, local government facilities, stores providing community support and much more.
T-Mobile’s fleet includes:
Late last week the teams at T-Mobile and Starlink asked for and received Special Temporary Authority (STA) from the FCC to operate our T-Mobile Starlink Direct-to-Cellular service over parts of North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. T-Mobile and Starlink have once again asked for and received STA from the FCC to do the same for areas in Florida affected by Hurricane Milton. In these areas, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are on and the teams have enabled basic texting (SMS), including the ability to text 911. While SpaceX's direct-to-cell constellation has not been fully deployed, this early test version could provide vital support as teams work to get infrastructure and services back online and help first responders with rescue efforts.
T-Mobile also stands ready to support cross-carrier roaming requests from other wireless providers as part of the FCC’s Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative to help ensure that emergency roaming is available.
Public Safety and First Responders
T-Mobile for Government is coordinating with federal, state and local authorities including first responder agencies and the Florida State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee to identify high-impact priorities for coverage restoration. The team is already preparing to deploy to support requests from first responders for additional network coverage and capacity once conditions safely allow.
First responders, emergency officials and other eligible critical infrastructure customers can register for Wireless Priority Service (WPS) to get priority access and preemption on T-Mobile’s network at no cost. When seconds matter during times of emergency or network congestion, WPS moves critical communications to the front of the line. Agencies needing communications assistance can also reach out to T-Mobile’s 24-hour emergency hotline at 888-639-0020 or email at ERTRequests@T-Mobile.com.
Employees, Retail Stores, and Community Support
T-Mobile has connected with all potentially impacted employees and will continue to support them as needed. With their safety in mind, the company has decided to temporarily close all retail stores that are located within Milton's projected impact area, as well as a Customer Experience Center and T-Mobile for Business Virtual Business Center. Customer contacts will be re-routed to other locations. Future updates on local store operations and hours will be available at the company’s store locator. When it is safe to deploy, T-Mobile teams will roll relief support trucks full of charging supplies, including cables and battery packs, into communities where they are needed most. Locations may shift daily and are posted at https://www.t-mobile.com/news/emergency-response.
More Information
For more information on T-Mobile’s emergency response efforts and for tips to stay connected visit: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/emergency-response. Follow @TMobileNews on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news.
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About T-Mobile
T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com
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T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com/news.
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