BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) is preparing in advance to get its network – and its customers ready – for what’s expected to be a challenging hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center at NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) this morning released its 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, and it‘s anticipating more activity than we’ve seen in years with 10-16 tropical storms and 4-8 hurricanes, with up to four major (category 3 or worse) hurricanes.
“We know how critical it is to stay connected with the people you care about—especially in an emergency,” said Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer of T-Mobile. “Day in and day out, this team works incredibly hard to deliver the best possible network experience to our customers. And, when the weather turns nasty, we go into overdrive to keep our network running and keep you connected when you need it most.”
In advance of any hurricane forecast to make landfall in the U.S., T-Mobile sets up an engineering command center near the expected area of impact and is able to rapidly deploy response teams to ensure interruptions to service are kept at a minimum. These teams are prepared to maintain and deploy T-Mobile’s back-up power solutions, such as generators, fuel cells and Cell on Wheels (COWs). In addition, T-Mobile’s Geo-Redundant Network Operation Centers (NOCs) closely manage network traffic and further coordinate any response to an event such as the aftermath of a hurricane.
For all consumers, here are some important steps you can take to increase your chances of connecting with loved ones before, during and after any storm or disaster:
- Make sure your phone is fully charged before the storm and have a plan to recharge your phone in case of a power outage, such as a car charger or portable power charger. You can find several options in our retail stores and online.
- Conserve phone battery life during power outages by utilizing the power save mode in your phone’s settings. You should also reduce screen brightness and limit downloads, streaming and the use of any apps.
- Send a text instead of calling. Text messages are more likely to get through during high usage periods since texts require fewer network resources.
- If you need to make a call, keep it short so others can also get through. The number of calls spikes during severe weather events, so keep the lines free for emergency workers and your neighbors.
- Keep your phone dry by storing it in a plastic bag or other waterproof covering.
- Use Wi-Fi calling if cellular service is not available. Wi-Fi calling allows T-Mobile customers with capable devices to text and make and receive voice calls via any Wi-Fi connection. Go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling for iOS, and Settings > More Connection Settings > Wi-Fi Calling for Android. We recommend setting this up ahead of the storm.
Customers can stay up to date with the latest storm forecasts from NOAA’s National Weather Service at weather.gov and the National Hurricane Center at hurricanes.gov. For T-Mobile Customer Care, visit www.my.t-mobile.com or call 611 from your T-Mobile handset.
About T-Mobile US, Inc.
As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The Company's advanced nationwide 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences to more than 65.5 million customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Washington, T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. For more information, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.
