You can still cruise the internet if Francine knocks out your MS power & Wi-Fi. Here’s how
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Hurricane Francine
Francine is expected to make landfall Wednesday as a Category 1 hurricane. While the storm appears headed to the Louisiana coast, Southern and coastal Mississippi could see a risk of flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
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The aftermath of hurricanes often leaves cities in the dark. Power outages can last for days.
That creates a problem: Home Wi-Fi systems will not work without power.
But major wireless carriers customers can still get online even when the internet is out at home.
Here’s how, according to each carrier.
Verizon customers
As long as the central cell network infrastructure is not damaged by a storm, hotspot devices, such as Verizon’s battery-powered Orbic Speed Mobile Hotspot, will still work. Verizon has generators and backup batteries at cell sites so it can keep customers connected during some power outages.
Customers can also use phones with hotspots to connect laptops or tablets to the internet.
Phones, laptops or tablets with a cellular connection can still surf the web if Verizon’s cell sites are not damaged. Verizon’s Unlimited Ultimate and Unlimited Plus wireless plans include hotspot data. The Unlimited Welcome plan does not include hotspot data, but customers can add 100 gigabytes of monthly data for $10 a month.
AT&T customers
Before storms, AT&T tests high-capacity backup batteries at cell sites, distributes extended battery life and portable generators and maintains fixed generators. It also fuels generators at cell sites and puts generators in places where they can be used after the storm passes.
AT&T customers can use the internet through a wireless device or hotspot device as long as regional networks are functioning.
The company’s unlimited plans come with hotspot data: The Unlimited Premium plan offers 60GB per line each month. The Unlimited Extra plan offers 30GB per line each month. The Unlimited Starter plan offers 5GB of data per month.
Hotspot devices will work as long as they are charged and the wireless network is functioning.
Spectrum customers
Power companies have to verify areas are safe before they can start restoring power. The company says its staff sometimes go with power companies to impacted areas to speed up that process.
Customers with Unlimited and Unlimited Plus mobile plans have hotspot data. But if customers reach a 5GB or 10GB threshold, resppectively, their service will work slower.
Customers with the By the Gig data option get 1GB of data per month. They are charged $5 for each extra gigabyte, up to 5GB. Reduced speed starts after that.
Spectrum does not offer hotspot devices.
T-Mobile customers
T-Mobile is adding generators and batteries, and has also turned on new spectrum to improve coverage.
Once storms pass, T-Mobile has disaster response vehicles that can be sent to areas to restore service through satellite and microwave backhaul.
The company’s wireless plans and hotspot devices allow customers to access the internet. The Go5G Next and Go 5G Plus plans have 50GB of mobile hotspot data.
The Go5G plan has 15GB of high-speed hotspot data. Customers who reach that threshold still have unlimited data but may face slower speeds.
The Essentials plan has unlimited 3G hotspot data. Customers on the plan can also add high-speed hotspot data.
T-Mobile customers can also buy a rechargeable hotspot device.
The News & Observer in Raleigh contributed reporting.
This story was originally published September 11, 2024 at 2:11 PM.
