Saving cell service after major events

NEW YORK, N.Y. (RELEASE) -  Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take the lead in developing a nationwide plan to ensure that cell towers don’t lose power for days or weeks in the wake of severe storms, terrorist attacks or other events that cause power failures. 

Schumer said that the FCC should work with industry and first responder groups to decide the best way forward that maximizes reliability, and minimizes costs and accelerates implementation time. 

He noted that approximately 33% of phone users now rely exclusively on wireless technology, and an estimated one out of every four towers in the impacted areas were down after Superstorm Sandy hit, leaving huge sections of impacted citizens struggling to effectively communicate during and after the storm’s impact.
 
“Unimpeded cell phone service is a necessity for emergency workers and a lifeline for residents left without power,” said Schumer.  “After Sandy hit, far too many impacted residents struggled to get service because far too many cell towers were rendered inoperable. In an age where many people only have cell phones, the bottom line is we must fix that problem ASAP.

The FCC has the capability to develop a nation-wide plan to ensure that cellular service, a lifeline to residents without power and first responders, is not completely severed in the wake of a storm.”

Schumer noted that a nationwide plan to ensure the functionality of cell towers has long been discussed, but never implemented, partly because of cost and partly because of industry opposition. 

Today, Schumer said that the necessity of a plan is now clear, and will grow more important every day as more and more customers abandon wired telephone lines. 

Among the things Schumer suggested they consider are backup generators, alternate power sources, temporary towers and mobile trucks. 

Schumer also suggested they investigate ways to "harden" cell infrastructure, making it less susceptible to damage.

In the wake of the storm, people across the region suffered with no cell phone service. 

“In neighborhoods of Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Lower Manhattan, and Long Island, there was a virtual communications blackout, with residents struggling to find out vital information such as where disaster aid resources were located, and what had happened to their friends, family and neighbors.  First responders were severely hindered as well – in Long Beach, for example, special equipment needed to be brought in so they could continue to communicate,” said Schumer. “When it comes to keeping our vital communications networks up-and-running, we can and must do better.”

The FCC closely tracked the health of the wireless network in the wake of the storm.  In the immediate aftermath they estimated that approximately 25% of cell towers in the affected areas still faced outages. 

By the end of the week 19% percent still faced outages.  Schumer said such high rates were dangerous, and a long term plan needed to be created to ensure better reliability. 

Schumer noted that in the wake of the storm, telecommunications companies have contributed to the recovery, even while their offices have been severely damaged.  Verizon's headquarters at 140 West Street and major facility at Broad Street were both severely damaged by the storm.

Some companies also provided mobile charging stations to residents who were impacted by Superstorm Sandy. The major carriers waived fees and set up mobile charging stations where customers could also make free calls and get free internet access. 

They also collaborated to open their networks to each others’ customers.   And they worked to bring their towers back online as soon as possible.

In his letter Schumer wrote “Today, I'm asking you to convene all of the stakeholders in the telecommunications industry to develop a national plan to ensure communications can stay up and running in the event of a future natural disaster.”