Several USTelecom members have operations in and around the areas that have been impacted by Harvey, and their employees are working 24/7 in emergency operations centers to keep networks up and running, as well as restore service in areas around Houston that have been flooded. While Inside Towers has been keeping readers up-to-date with the restoration efforts of the larger carriers, USTelecom shines a light on what some of its other members are doing in a blog post.
Consolidated Communications activated its Emergency Operations Center, equipping its fleet with extra fuel, ensuring backup generators are working and placing extra emergency supplies in key areas, so employees can focus on keeping the network operational.
Orlando-based Smart City Telecom, which provides internet services in convention centers, amusement parks and hotels, flew staff to Texas to help relieve local employees and keep its WiFi and voice networks operational for storm victims who’ve taken refuge at the George R. Brown Convention Center and NRG Stadium in Houston.
CenturyLink, which provides service in several areas hit hard by the storm, including Port Aransas, told USTelecom, it has had some customers lose service. It is providing free emergency call forwarding for customers impacted by the storm, which will allow consumers and businesses to forward their calls to a different number for the next month.
Several other Texas-based members, including Big Bend Telephone, GVTC Communications and Southwest Texas Telephone, have not had service interrupted by the storm. “We are doing all we can for our industry family affected by this mess,” stated Big Bend Telephone GM Rusty Moore.
Texas-based providers are offering to help other companies in the impacted areas, sending staff to help restore service or offering their networks to help responders trying to help Texans get back on their feet. “Thankfully, we were not affected by the storm. We send our best wishes to others in our industry who, unfortunately, were not so lucky. Together, we are Texas strong,” stated Rosa Cerda, Commercial Manager of Southwest Texas Telephone Company.
September 1, 2017
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