Digging out: How U.S. operators are dealing with Winter Storm Fern

Much of the United States is digging out after this weekend’s historic Winter Storm Fern—and that means the major mobile operators are, too. Here's how AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon handled the preparation and aftermath of the event, which saw snow, sleet and freezing rain hit across the country from Texas to Maine: 

• AT&T FirstNet was at the ready: AT&T headquarters in the Dallas area saw several inches of snow and sleet combined with dangerous ice. AT&T said that its FirstNet response operations group, led by former first responders, was ready to support public safety’s emergency communications and to deploy assets from the dedicated FirstNet fleet, both during and after the storm.
• T-Mobile uses its Self-Organizing Network (SON) and artificial intelligence (AI): T-Mobile noted that it has been using its SON with AI and automation to adapt in real time by rerouting signals and shifting antenna angles to manage traffic during Fern.
• Verizon hardened cell sites: A Verizon spokeswoman said, “Ahead of the storm, we took proactive measures to harden our cell sites and infrastructure including ensuring backup systems like batteries and generators are operational across all macro cell sites, pre-arranging fuel deliveries with tankers positioned to quickly respond and refuel generators if commercial power is lost, and ensuring our nearly 3,000 network and satellite assets are ready to deploy, including mobile cell sites (cell on wheels (COW) and cell on light truck (COLTs)), temporary emergency command centers, and mobile generators.”