UPDATE Power is essential to restoring wireless and wireline communications, and given the scope of the power outages across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AT&T says it’s deploying portable generators as quickly as allowed. The carrier is also working with government contacts to get its expert technicians on the ground.
Given the damage the airports and harbors sustained, there are logistical challenges for virtually any company or organization working to bring aid and services into the islands, however, the carrier says it’s confident it will make measurable progress in the days ahead. “We’re grateful for the work of Governor Kenneth Mapp and FEMA to enable us to restore service to the U.S. Virgin Islands as soon as possible,” the company says in a statement.
AT&T continues to send aircraft with essential supplies (including 5,000 gallons of water) and network resources to help the people of Puerto Rico. These flights include portable temporary cell sites, high capacity generators to provide temporary power, and other larger network equipment on cargo planes and barges to help restore services on the island. The company plans to set up a number of portable cell sites in the San Juan area as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, more than 7,250 people have signed up on AT&T’s website for anyone stateside (regardless of carrier) to register the cell phone number of a family member or friend who is an AT&T wireless customer in Puerto Rico. When the Puerto Rico-based customer’s cell phone connects to AT&T’s network in Puerto Rico, the customer will be notified that their family or friends in the U.S. have been trying to contact them.
September 28, 2017
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