Emergency Communications

The Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Huricane Katrina and other man-made and natural disasters often reveal flaws in emergency communications systems. Here we attempt to chart the effects of disasters on our telecommunications and media communications systems -- and efforts by policymakers to stregthen these systems.

As fires and floods rage, Facebook and Twitter are missing in action

As wildfires ravage western Canada, Canadians can’t read the news about them on Facebook or Instagram.

Industry cautions FCC against complicating Wireless Emergency Alerts

The CTIA is among wireless industry stakeholders cautioning the Federal Communications Commission against complicating the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system with additions of multimedia content and other requirements, which the CTIA told the FCC remains "fraught with practical and technical challenges." The New York State's Public Service Commission suggested that the FCC's well-meaning language proposal would face implementation hurdles. Instead, the FCC should "require WEAs to be translated to all languages spoken by at least 300,000 people, or 1%, of the United States population over

Experts tout digital twins for dual wins in harsh fiber environments

Experts at Fiber Connect convened to address the need for new approaches to fiber deployments in challenging environments.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Commits FCC to Supporting Hawaii Wildfire Recovery

Having worked for Senator Inouye, I experienced firsthand the kindness and collective spirit of Aloha that guides the people who call Hawai’i home. The agency has staff on the ground in Maui assessing the impact on communications services and infrastructure to help local, state, and federal authorities to identify how to best support restoration and emergency response.

How is Meta’s news ban affecting communications amid Canada wildfires?

Meta began blocking news from appearing across its platforms in Canada in August 2023 after prolonged negotiations with the government over Canada’s new Online News Act. As Canada grapples with its worst ever wildfire season, thousands of Canadians could now be affected by a shortage of news content ac

AT&T’s FirstNet, Verizon Frontline connect first responders in Maui (HI)

Network restoration crews employed by wireless operators are accustomed to responding to emergencies caused by hurricanes, but the wildfires that devastated western Maui (HI) are a completely different animal. “We’re working around the clock.

Comcast Is The First Internet Provider to Offer a Back-Up Connectivity Device Designed to Keep Customers Connected During a Storm

Comcast becomes the first internet service provider to offer a product designed to maintain connectivity when a storm hits, trees are down, or a customer experiences a local outage, with the launch of Storm-Ready WiFi. With severe weather impacting many parts of the country, there has never been a greater need for a back-up connectivity solution.

Portable hotspots arrive in Maui to bring internet to residents and tourists

Portable mobile hotspots have arrived in Maui (HI) to help bring internet service to the thousands of people who may have been unable to call for help since the wildfires started to rage out of control on the island. Verizon is currently deploying the first batch of satellite-based mobile hotspots at evacuation sites in areas of greatest need, particular

Fires on Maui destroy telecommunications equipment, adding to emergency

Cell towers and other telecommunications  equipment have been destroyed in the wildfires burning on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Similarly, the electric grid suffered outages, and telecom equipment also relies on the grid. The lack of telecom service has made things worse for people calling for help and evacuation. Justen Burdette, CEO of Mobi, a Hawaiian wireless provider said, “The devastation in Lāhainā is just incomprehensible. So many folks have lost their homes, their small businesses—but to lose an entire community?

AT&T Safety System for K-12 Connects Schools to FirstNet

AT&T is giving schools access to a new security alert system through FirstNet, the company's dedicated telecommunications network for first responders. The school safety system will be available fall 2023, and entail a FirstNet-certified mobile app, wearable panic button and online portal designed by the telecommunications company Intrado.