AT&T reported that 99% of cell sites in L.A. Orange and San Bernardino Counties and 95% in San Diego Counties were working during the wild fires. There were only 25 cell sites affected which are currently in the process of being repaired.
Residents in affected areas were able to make free phone calls from AT&T stores. AT&T also set up free calls, laptop and Internet access at Qualcomm Stadium.
Free Wi-Fi service has been established for evacuees, and free calling is available At Plaza Camino Real in Carlsbad. AT&T sent out Cell on Wheels (COW) to enhance network capacity for an increase in traffic at Plaza Camino Real. Additional capacity was also added at a mobile command center in Rancho Bernardo.
AT&T Wireless Network Continues to Perform at Near-Normal Levels
Company Offers Resources and Tips to Community In Response To Southern California Wildfires
Free Calls Available at All Southern California Company-Owned Retail Locations
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has announced that the wireless network continues to perform at near-normal levels despite the disruptions created by wildfires in Southern California.
In addition, AT&T is making emergency resources available, including free calling and Internet access in select locations.
AT&T reported that more than 99 percent of its cell sites in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties are functioning normally as consumers continue to complete calls, send and receive text messages, access e-mail and connect to the Internet.
Although the fires have affected certain cell sites in the Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego areas, AT&T’s No.1 priority has been to restore these sites to full capacity as quickly and safely as possible.
In San Diego County, more than 95 percent of the cell sites are functioning normally, with some call congestion in the areas at which fires have forced large-scale evacuations. There are 25 cell sites in all the counties affected by the fires, and AT&T technicians are working around the clock — as conditions permit — to restore service to those sites that are down.
AT&T’s is ensuring that its customers in the affected regions in Southern California have continued wireless connectivity to keep them informed, safe and in touch with family, friends and colleagues.
“The need to communicate in a crisis is critical, and AT&T people have worked tirelessly to ensure that our wireless network is working as it should for emergency responders and residents, with only minimal disruption,” said Tammi Terrell, vice president and general manager for AT&T’s wireless unit in San Diego.
To assist the community and emergency responders:
* Residents can make free calls at all Southern California AT&T retail store locations. Store locations can be found at www.att.com/wireless.
* AT&T is setting up communications services at major evacuation centers, such as QUALCOMM Stadium. AT&T is offering free calls as well as access to wireless laptops for Internet access.
* Existing network capacity at QUALCOMM Stadium has accommodated call volumes in and around the facility.
* At Plaza Camino Real in Carlsbad, free Wi-Fi service has been established for evacuees, and free calling will also be made available.
* AT&T is establishing a temporary Cell on Wheels (COW) to enhance network capacity to prepare for an increase in traffic at Plaza Camino Real. Additional capacity has also been added at a mobile command center in Rancho Bernardo.
* AT&T has donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross.
AT&T has also suggested tips that consumers can use during a crisis.
* Limit mobile phone calls; use text messaging to communicate with family and friends. Echoing the request of city officials and emergency personnel, AT&T suggests that customers limit calls to emergency/family contacts during these busy mobile phone usage times. AT&T recommends sending SMS messages as another method of communicating to family, friends and others. This will help free up the network so that emergency personnel and 9-1-1 users can communicate without delay.
* If you're being evacuated, be sure to pack your wireless battery charger. Have an alternate plan to recharge your battery (e.g., charging via your car charger, extra mobile phone batteries, use of a disposable phone battery). If you've already been evacuated, stop by an AT&T retail location to charge your phone free of charge.
* Forward your home number to your wireless number. Because call forwarding is based out of the telephone central office, you will get incoming calls from your landline phone even if your local telephone service is disrupted at your home. In the unlikely event that the central office is not operational, services such as voice mail, call forwarding, remote access call forwarding and call forwarding-busy line/don't answer may be useful.
* Program all of your emergency contact numbers into your mobile phone. Numbers should include the police department, fire station and hospital, as well as your family members.
* If you have a camera phone, take, store and send photos of damaged property to your insurance company from your device.
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