A Verizon representative highlighted the carrier’s use of new technologies to maintain network resiliency and speed recovery following natural disasters during an FCC hearing on Thursday. The agency recommended greater coordination between communications providers and powercos after Hurricane Michael in 2018, specifically to prevent fiber cuts after communications restoration, Inside Towers reported.
Matthew Tuck is Senior Manager, Network Operations for Verizon Wireless. He echoed comments from Scott Aaronson, Senior Vice President of Security and Preparedness at the Edison Electric Institute, who said such coordination is happening.
Tuck was responsible for leading the deployment of mobile assets after Category Four Hurricane Ian landed in Florida on September 28. Those included “mobile cell sites, portable generators, small satellite solutions and some of the more rugged assets like business incorporated satellites and the tactical humanitarian operations used on Fort Myers Beach.”
Tuck highlighted Verizon’s use of drones. “Verizon has been using drones for tower inspections for over three years now with thousands of flights under our belt. The use of small drones for tower inspection, the ability to see sites with limited access enables much faster repair and response,” said Tuck.
Verizon also used larger drones to temporarily provide service to Sanibel Island. “This high-altitude solution was first deployed during Hurricane Laura in Louisiana in 2020 and was tested the year prior for safety and feasibility.” But Tuck explained that using drones this way “requires substantial effort and investment” because under current FAA rules, there must be eyes on the drone 24/7, which means a team of people must stay with the asset during deployments.
Verizon has also been testing satellite solutions to replace fiber to connect cell sites to the core network following a disaster. It deployed this solution for Fort Myers Beach, FL after Ian. “We found the solution has much lower latency than stationary satellite solutions and greater throughput potential. Directional solutions using satellite constellations will become more common following major events to meet these needs.”
Asked by Commissioner Brendan Carr if there’s more the FCC can do to deliver technologies into an area after a disaster, Tuck said there’s more opportunity for coordination between the FCC and the FAA as it relates to tethered assets. “They are cell towers that happen to be powered by a motor and fiber up the line.” How those are treated is an opportunity “because of the ability to remotely monitor, deploy and understand the aircraft,” he explained, adding the drone can be landed remotely if there’s a problem.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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