Phone and Internet Providers Work To Restore Connectivity After Hurricane Helene

T-Mobile launches direct-to-cell satellite texting plus unlimited talk and text

T-Mobile made careful preparations before the storm hit by installing permanent batteries and generators on key cell sites, data centers, and switching centers. After the storm, T-Mobile sent out a fleet of portable generators, temporary satellite-enabled cell towers, drones, microwave solutions, and VSAT (very small aperture terminal kits).

The company also offered financial help by extending unlimited talk and text to all customers through Oct. 4.

On Oct. 6, T-Mobile had also enabled text messaging via satellite internet to customers in parts of North Carlina who could not yet connect on T-Mobile’s cell network. The move utilized Starlink satellites and required special temporary authority from the FCC.

“While SpaceX’s direct-to-cell constellation has not been fully deployed, we felt that getting even this early test version into the hands of people on the ground could provide vital support as teams work to get infrastructure and services back online and help first responders with rescue efforts,” the company said in a press release.

In that same release, T-Mobile said it had restored network connectivity in more than 99% of its coverage area.

Verizon sends drones, trucks and trailers—waives overage fees

Verizon sent out satellite-enabled trucks and drones to restore network connectivity quickly after the storm hit, and announced it had restored service to more than 90% of its cell sites by Oct. 7. Daily Verizon updates kept customers and first-responders informed.

As the company worked to repair the fiber backbone of its network and keep emergency generators fueled, it sent engineers to evaluate satellite solutions for continuity of service.

The company also offered multiple charging stations and free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the affected area and waived overage charges in affected areas through Oct. 27. In addition, it donated $325,000 to relief efforts.

AT&T connects first responders, waives overage fees

AT&T operates the FirstNet Response Operations Group, charged with providing seamless communication for public safety officials. Even before the storm arrived, the FirstNet team was busy helping hospitals, emergency centers, fire departments, and airports communicate and distribute life-saving supplies.

The company used satellite-enabled drones, cell towers on trucks, and compact rapid deployables (CRDs) in the effort and waived talk, text, and overage charges for wireless and wired internet customers through Oct. 27, 2024.

Read regular AT&T updates related to Hurricane Helene recovery.

Starlink offers free month of service in affected areas

In addition to sending hundreds of Starlink kits to affected communities, Starlink offered a free month of service to new and existing customers throughout the affected area.

The federal government, private volunteers, local entities, and Starlink itself helped distribute the equipment and generators needed to power it.

Spectrum offers free hotspots and donates $250,000 in cash

Spectrum offered 90,000 free Wi-Fi access points to anyone who needed them across the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama in the wake of the storm, and made them available to all users through Oct. 7. The company also donated $250,000 cash and spent $750,000 on public service announcements on its own platforms.

Spectrum’s mobile service piggybacks on the Verizon 5G and 4G LTE Network.

Xfinity donates $500,000 and opens more than 360,000 hotspots

Huge swaths of Xfinity’s network was damaged by the storm, and the company worked day and night to restore service in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. As soon as service was up and power was restored, it offered more than 360,000 free hotspots to anyone who needed them.

The company also donated $500,000 in cash to disaster relief efforts and aired $500,000 worth of public service announcements.

Xfinity Mobile uses Verizon’s 5G and 4G LTE networks.

Read network updates from Xfinity and access the Wi-Fi hotspot map.

What can you do to help after a storm?

Service has been restored in many areas affected by Hurricane Helene, but fiber cuts and downed trees are still causing outages in some areas. If you can get a signal, limit your communications to calling and texting to help preserve bandwidth for your neighbors and emergency responders.

In other words, now is not the time for streaming in 4K or downloading game updates if you can help it.

Staying clear of downed lines is also essential after a storm, for two reasons. First, any downed line could still have dangerous electricity running through it that could shock you or start a fire. Second, it’s much easier for crews to repair damaged lines than it is for them to replace cut lines.

How can you prepare for a storm?

There’s no way to know how much damage a storm or other natural disaster will cause before it arrives, but you can prepare by making a plan for your tech. You can also make a communications plan ahead of time.