The FCC deactivated its Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) for Hurricane Ian, at the request of FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This means carriers, broadcasters and cable/internet companies have stopped reporting their status for Ian.
The Commission will continue to monitor the status of communications services and work with providers and government partners as needed to support remaining restoration efforts. If there are major changes, whether improvements or setbacks, to the status of communications in the affected area, the FCC asks communications providers to supply that information directly to agency personnel.
In its last DIRS report for Ian on October 10, the FCC had shrunk the coverage area to three counties in the Ft. Myers area of Florida. Just under four percent of the cell sites (21 out of 553) were out of service. Thirteen had data transport issues, seven had no power, and one was damaged. An additional 25 were operating on backup power.
Lee County still had the most cell sites out of service — 19 out of 394. Thirteen had data transport problems, five had no power and one was damaged. An additional 21 were operating on backup power.
No 911 call centers were still being affected. Cable and wireline companies reported 120,310 subscribers out of service in the disaster area. This may include the loss of telephone, television, and/or internet services.
No TV or AM stations said they were off-air. Three FMs remained off the air.
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