Don’t count on cellular service during a disaster

One of the most common reasons for having a cell phone is to use it during an emergency. But as recent disasters have shown, cellular service may not always be there when we need it most. Cellular service is vulnerable to hurricanes and even blackouts.

When Hurricane Charley struck Florida, cell service went down when the power went out, or soon afterward. Though cell phones themselves are wireless, the cellular network relies on towers, which are powered by electricity, which does involve wires and many of those wires blew down.

In the areas hardest hit in Florida, 180 Cingular cell towers and 140 Sprint towers were disabled by the storm. Some cell towers had battery or generator power back ups, but those back ups were ineffective. There is no way to estimate just how many cellular customers were affected by the service failures.

The huge power blackouts of 2003 interrupted service over large portions of the country. An AT&T Wireless spokesman said it would be impossible for cellular carriers to engineer networks and backup systems for a "power outage of such massive proportions."

Cellular providers reported that the back up systems they had in place did what they were supposed to do during the blackout. Most back up power supplies, however, are only designed to last six or eight hours.

These examples remind us that cell phone service is still a vulnerable technology. When the lights go out for an extended period, chances are the cell phone will, too.

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Also See: glossary of cell phone terms.

About The Author:

Wendy Whittaker is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com. A cellular phone industry resource featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of cellular phone and service plans.

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Don’t count on cellular service during a disaster