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Cellular Service During Disasters

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Staying Connected When Disaster Strikes: Cellular Service for Organizations


When disaster hits, cellular networks can be damaged or overwhelmed. Businesses, schools, and response partners that plan for these failures maintain continuity far better than those that don’t.


How Networks Behave in Disasters

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Many cell towers have backup batteries or generators, but runtime varies widely depending on load, available fuel, and whether refueling is possible. Some towers may operate for only a few hours, while others can last up to 72 hours before shutting down.


Major carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile own most of the infrastructure. Many smaller or prepaid carriers lease access to those same networks. During a disaster, priority and restoration usually favor critical users, public safety, and core networks first, leaving smaller carriers or resellers (like Cricket, Mint Mobile, or Straight Talk) with longer service interruptions.


Starlink and Direct-to-Cell Capabilities

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T-Mobile and other major carriers are partnering with Starlink to roll out direct-to-cell satellite connectivity, allowing compatible phones to connect directly to satellites when towers are unavailable.


Early versions of this technology focus on basic text messaging and emergency communication, not full broadband data. It’s expected to help restore limited connectivity during tower outages, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas.

Some carriers include this feature in higher-tier plans or as a small add-on fee. The benefit is that if you and other members of your organization are on the same carrier, and that carrier’s direct-to-cell service is active, you may be able to reach one another even when ground towers are offline.


Priority Calling for Critical Personnel (GETS/WPS)

Two federal programs can provide essential priority calling access during emergencies:


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Both programs are managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Local governments, hospitals, utilities, schools, and other critical organizations can apply for access through their Emergency Management Agency (EMA).



Survey Your Staff and Families

A practical preparedness step is to survey staff and their families to determine which cellular providers they use. If most rely on one carrier, your organization could face widespread communication failure if that carrier experiences an outage.


Knowing this allows you to plan ahead—by mixing carriers among key personnel, securing dual-SIM phones, or adding satellite-based options for leadership and critical staff.


Can Phones Use Other Networks During a Disaster?

Yes. Even if a phone is locked to a specific carrier, it can still use another carrier’s tower to make an emergency 911 call during a disaster. This ability to connect to any available network for emergency services is a mandated industry standard and does not depend on whether the phone is locked or unlocked.


However, this only applies to emergency calls. Regular calls, texts, and data use still rely on your carrier’s network unless emergency roaming is temporarily enabled by the providers.


Organizations that rely on constant communication should consider:

  • Maintaining devices on multiple carriers

  • Using dual-SIM or eSIM-capable phones

  • Considering satellite-enabled service plans as backup


Tips to Communicate When Towers Are Busy

  • Text instead of call. Texts require less bandwidth and are more likely to go through.

  • Avoid sending photos or attachments that clog limited bandwidth.

  • Keep messages short and direct. Send only what’s essential.

  • Prewrite message templates for status checks or instructions.

  • Keep printed contact lists of staff and key partners.

  • Conserve battery power by turning off nonessential apps and using low-power modes.


Develop a Local Emergency Communications Plan

Every organization should have a Local Emergency Communications Plan that details what to do if cell networks fail. Include layers of redundancy:

  1. Primary cellular service (with WPS if applicable)

  2. Alternate carrier devices or dual-SIM phones

  3. Satellite-enabled communications

  4. Landline or VoIP systems with backup power

  5. Radio systems (public safety, GMRS, amateur, or internal)

  6. Physical or in-person communication methods as a last resort


Bottom Line

Cellular networks are resilient—but not invincible. Understanding how they operate, surveying your staff’s carrier mix, taking advantage of priority programs like GETS and WPS, and considering new satellite-backed services like Starlink can all improve your organization’s ability to stay connected during a disaster.


Clinton County EMA encourages all local agencies, schools, and businesses to review their emergency communication plans. EMA stakeholders should contact our office to learn more about GETS and WPS enrollment options.

 
 
 
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