UPDATE Today, Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will travel through Mexico, cross the United States from Texas to Maine, and out across Canada’s Atlantic coast – giving parts of the U.S. a front row seat to watch this moment. Major carriers say they’re prepared to handle the expected surge in cell phone use.
AT&T (NYSE: T) says the eclipse itself will have no direct operational impact on the FirstNet public safety network that it built. However, first responders are preparing for watch parties across the country. AT&T says it has more than 75 requests from public safety agencies in nearly every state along the path of totality. “This includes optimizing the network to enhance coverage and capacity and deploying public safety’s dedicated network assets,” the carrier says in a blog. It planned to deploy about a dozen FirstNet assets to ensure first responders have the dedicated connectivity they require.
For more information on smartphone photography of the eclipse, AT&T encourages viewers to follow guidelines from NASA and their phone manufacturer.
Recognizing the importance of the celestial phenomenon and the tourism it will bring to areas from Maine to Texas, T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) says it’s prepared to ensure customers stay connected during the eclipse. It’s increased investments in network hardening more than 30 percent over the past two years to reduce service interruptions during weather, disaster and major tourism events (like the solar eclipse), adding fixed backup generators at critical sites nationwide.
“T-Mobile is working hand-in-hand with state and local authorities to address the anticipated surge in network traffic to guarantee seamless connectivity for all,” said T-Mobile President of Technology Ulf Ewaldsson. “Whether facing large influxes in data use or high demand, our network — which is the nation’s largest, fastest and most awarded — has everyone covered.”
As part of its comprehensive plan, T-Mobile deployed additional cell sites that will be on stand-by in areas expecting high tourist traffic. These temporary sites will provide crucial network reinforcement, ensuring that customers can stay connected and share their favorite eclipse moments without interruption, according to the carrier. Teams will be conducting real-time monitoring of network performance, ready to make adjustments as necessary.
Verizon (NYSE: VZ), too, has put in place extra equipment to supplement its network in areas along the path of totality. In another part of its prep, the Verizon Business division partnered with NASA to provide a network solution that it says will allow for a live broadcast of the eclipse.
Verizon Business, with essential support from integrator Leidos, provisioned 1GB E-Line service from the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland to the John Glenn Space Center. “This provisioning effort was accomplished in fewer than 30 days, which is key, as it has enabled NASA to thoroughly test video and broadcast applications in advance of the eclipse,” says the carrier. This connectivity will enable NASA to bring in multiple video feeds from across the U.S., including telescope views and broadcast commentary, which will be combined to deliver the broadcast to NASA viewers around the world.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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