Telcos respond to Central Texas floods with gear, free services, donations

With at least 120 people dead, including over 24 children, due to flooding in Central Texas, Fierce Network took a look at how the Big 3 operators are approaching emergency cellular coverage in the Hill Country region.

• AT&T is deploying amphibious vehicles and high-water equipment in Texas. Plus, “public safety agencies on FirstNet...also have 24/7 access to a dedicated nationwide fleet of more than 180 deployable network assets, helping them connect to the critical information they need,” according to an AT&T spokesperson. The carrier is also contributing $200,000 to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and matching 100 percent of employee donations.
• “In Kerr County, we deployed a SatCOLT to the Unified Command Center, are providing free Wi-Fi and charging to anyone who needs it, and our teams deployed a search and rescue drone to help first responders. Coverage drones and other equipment are also on standby to use where and when needed,” said a spokesperson for T-Mobile. T-Mobile also donated $500,000 to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and is matching employee donations at 2:1.
• Verizon said it is in contact with local public safety and emergency management teams to coordinate any communication needs or support. This includes providing low-earth orbit satellite devices to aid the Texas Department of Public Safety’s drone search and recovery operations. Verizon is supporting its customers and local communities by donating $100,000 to Texas Search and Rescue, a first responder organization that deploys professionally trained volunteers throughout the state of Texas to support its crucial search, rescue, and recovery operations.