Will Wireless Withstand Hurricane Isaac? | Jeff Kagan Tech Analyst

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Jeff KAGAN

Tech Analyst

     

What will happen to wireless when Isaac hit’s?

Looking back a few years at Katrina many lessons have been learning. Hopefully all networks will be better prepared. Katrina hit in 2005.

Isaac looks like it may hit on the same day as Katrina. The lives lost and damage during Katrina was enormous. During Katrina, there were many outages and problems with both wire line and wireless services.

C Spire Wireless seems to have held up best during Katrina. C Spire is headquartered in the Mississippi region. They have more cell sites and seemed to be better prepared for Katrina. Their cell sites are elevated and kept dry. Since this is their home region it makes sense they are better prepared than a national carrier.

Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and others in the area had more trouble, but did an admirable job. When their networks had trouble, many were able to roam using the C Spire network. The problems lasted many days.

C Spire says they carried calls from other carriers who were damaged. And they say they are ready for Isaac. Let’s hope other carriers are ready this time as well.

That’s one of the beautiful things about competition and many carriers. When one is down, another is up and can often carry the load like in this case.

If the phones don’t work because too many people are using them at one time, remember you can always send email and text as well.

PREPARE:

Batteries. Make sure you fully charge all your batteries. Buy back up batteries since you may not be able to recharge for a while. Make sure you have an automotive cigarette lighter battery charger.

Plastic bags. Make sure you keep your electronics like wireless phones safe and dry by keeping them in sealed wireless lunch bags.

Address book. Make sure you have all your important information printed out and kept dry in plastic bags. If your wireless phone get’s wet and dies you can still have your information like all your phone numbers.

Remember you can take pictures and videos with your phones as well. This is great to record your belongings and damage.

You can also keep in touch using social networks like Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and others.

Remember, technology is a lifesaver, but if it get’s wet it’s dead in the water. Then only old fashioned ways work.

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These comments may be quoted in news stories. They are being sent by email list and on the web.

Please attribute to Jeff Kagan, Tech Industry Analyst with www.jeffKAGAN.com

If you would like to discuss, call me at 770-579-5810 or send an email to jeff@JeffKAGAN.com

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Jeff KAGAN| Tech Industry Analyst www.jeffKAGAN.com

Analyst sharing perspective on the changing industry for 25 years

~ Also Columnist, Author, Consultant, Speaker
~ Column http://www.ectnews.com/perl/section/jeff_kagan/

Phone 770-579-5810 Email jeff@jeffKAGAN.com

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