Hurricane Helene has officially intensified to a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches landfall in Florida's Big Bend area tomorrow night. T-Mobile has mobilized its emergency response teams in preparation for the severe conditions, which may include winds reaching 125 mph, rainfall of 8 to 12 inches, and life-threatening storm surges across Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. Here's an overview of how T-Mobile is working to keep customers, communities, first responders, and others connected:
Network Preparation
T-Mobile's network emergency management team, along with local market teams and National Operations Centers, are closely monitoring network performance. The company is pre-positioning a substantial amount of equipment at key locations in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia for rapid deployment after Hurricane Helene passes, once it is safe to do so. Measures taken include:
Mobile Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs): Large RVs equipped for network management and monitoring. SatCOLTs and SatCOWs: Satellite trucks that can be driven to affected areas to temporarily restore or enhance service. Quick-deploy and portable VSATs: Satellite dishes, known as Very Small Aperture Terminals, that provide widespread coverage and enable temporary wireless service. Microwave solutions: Advanced technology providing high throughput and low latency for improved data use. Portable Generators: Quick-to-set-up power solutions for critical sites. Permanent Batteries and Generators: Installed at key sites like cell towers and data centers, these resources have been topped off in preparation. Network Preparation
T-Mobile's network emergency management team, along with local market teams and National Operations Centers, are closely monitoring network performance. The company is pre-positioning a substantial amount of equipment at key locations in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia for rapid deployment after Hurricane Helene passes, once it is safe to do so. Measures taken include:
Additionally, T-Mobile's network modernization allows local teams to quickly adjust coverage, enhancing signal strength in crucial areas for rescue operations, Incident Command Centers, shelters, hospitals, and other essential locations.
Public Safety and First Responders
T-Mobile for Government is collaborating with various federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state Emergency Operations Centers across multiple states. The team is ready to deploy additional network resources to support first responders as soon as conditions permit. Agencies in need of communication support can contact T-Mobile's 24-hour emergency hotline at 888-639-0020 or via email at ERTRequests@T-Mobile.com.
Community Support
T-Mobile teams are positioned in Mississippi and Georgia with additional equipment and resources for deployment when safe. This includes a Community Support Command Center to coordinate local operations and several trucks and trailers that offer Wi-Fi access, device charging, and necessary supplies.
Customer Concessions
To assist customers who may be affected, T-Mobile is providing unlimited talk, text, and data for T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and Assurance Wireless customers who are not on unlimited plans. This offer will be available from tomorrow, September 26, through Wednesday, October 2, in specified counties across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.