CommunityCategoryStatement

T-Mobile Responds to Hurricane Ian

September 26, 2022

Update: October 7, 2022

Network Update

T-Mobile’s Emergency Management team is continuing recovery efforts in Florida today in the most impacted areas, specifically focusing on Fort Myers and Pine Island. Temporary backhaul equipment including microwave solutions is continuing to be deployed where needed. Teams are also continuing to refuel fixed and portable generators across the state of Florida.

They remain deployed at Lee County Civic Center in North Fort Meyers to continue supporting recovery efforts in that area. Additionally, they were able to provide hotspots, charging solutions and more for the Captiva Island Fire Control District, which allowed the fire department to get back up and running.

Network recovery across the state of Florida has been successful, and most teams are moving to business as usual operations due to the near-entirety of our network being back up and running.

Customer Support Update

T-Mobile’s Community Support team has set up Wi-Fi trailers and charging stations in several locations in Fort Myers and Port Charlotte at emergency shelters today. There is Wi-Fi connectivity and charging stations available for those in need.

Concessions Update

T-Mobile is extending unlimited talk, text and data for all postpaid and prepaid customers in the following impacted Florida counties through Wednesday, October 12:

  • Charlotte
  • Desoto
  • Lee

Update: October 6, 2022

Network Update

In Florida, T-Mobile’s Emergency Management team is continuing support recovery in the hardest hit parts of Lee County, including Sanibel Island and Bonita Beach. While almost all of our network in Florida is operational — and the majority of our sites withstood the storm — the ongoing network deployments continue to boost areas needing enhancement, help residents working to assess damage and support federal, state and local organizations and officials with additional capacity, hotspots, devices and more. The Emergency Management team set up quick deploy satellite kits (also called a VSATs) at our network sites that were down on Sanibel Island, and these temporary backhaul solutions will continue to support the community and residents as they return home to assess damage. Also for Sanibel Island, our teams are using watercraft, including a barge and boat, to safely move equipment to and around the island as needed.

The Emergency Management team is also deploying to the Lee County Civic Center in North Fort Meyers and will be setting up a SatCOLT and Wi-Fi solutions to provide capacity and support for recovery efforts that that area. Work in Sarasota County also continues to support remaining commercial power outages.

And across the state, teams are continuing daily refueling of fixed and portable generators using fuel trucks and a chartered fuel barge located off Sanibel Island.

Customer Support Update

T-Mobile’s Community Support teams are again in various locations in Fort Myers and Port Charlotte today. They have Wi-Fi connectivity, charging stations, charging cords and more for those in need in those communities.

T-Mobile quick deploy satellite kit (or VSAT) set up on Sanibel Island.
T-Mobile Emergency Management equipment set up at the FEMA and State of Florida Disaster Recovery Center in Fort Myers, FL.
T-Mobile Emergency Management team and a quick deploy satellite (VSAT) at the Captiva Island Fire Department in Captiva on Sanibel Island, FL.
T-Mobile's Community Support Wi-Fi and charging trailer at the FEMA and State of Florida Disaster Recovery Center in Fort Myers, FL.

Update: October 5, 2022

Network Update

In Florida, almost all of T-Mobile’s network is operational. The majority of our network sites were able to withstand the storm, and our Emergency Management team’s preparedness efforts helped maintain connectivity and minimize loss of service. In South Carolina & North Carolina, recovery efforts have subsided as the network sustained minimal impact and is fully back up and running.

T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert gave an update on the latest efforts via Instagram last night.

To help increase capacity in the hardest hit areas—including Lee County and specifically Bonita Beach and Sanibel Island, which sustained sizeable infrastructure damage — teams have deployed temporary cell solutions including SatCOLTs, quick deploy satellite kits (also called VSATs), CoWs and IP/Wi-Fi trailers. On Sanibel Island specifically, the Emergency Management team is setting up a quick deploy satellite kit to provide a temporary backhaul solution at our one site that’s still down on the island. All of these mobile cell technologies help maintain communication services during this critical time. The Emergency Management team also has a SatCOLT in Sarasota County to support ongoing power outages in that area.

Across the state, teams are also refueling fixed and portable generators daily using fuel trucks and a chartered fuel barge located off Sanibel Island.

And T-Mobile continues to work with federal, state and local agencies and officials providing supplemental capacity, devices, hotspots and more as needed.

Customer Support Update

T-Mobile’s Community Support teams are continuing to deploy to the most impacted areas in Florida. Today, they plan to be in various locations in Fort Myers and Port Charlotte. They have Wi-Fi connectivity, charging stations, charging cords and more for those in need in those communities.

AM Update: October 4, 2022

Customer Support Update

Mobile’s Community Support teams are continuing to deploy around the hardest hit areas of Florida with plans to be in various locations in Fort Myers, Englewood, Port Charlotte, Venice, Arcadia, Nocatee, Lake Placid, Avon Park, Wauchula and Sarasota. The teams will have Wi-fi, device charging, chargers and more available for those in need in those communities.

Concessions

Yesterday, T-Mobile announced the extension of unlimited talk, text and data to all postpaid and prepaid customers in the following impacted Florida counties through Friday, October 7:

  • Charlotte
  • Collier
  • Desoto
  • Hardee
  • Hendry
  • Highlands
  • Lee
  • Manatee
  • Sarasota

PM Update: October 3, 2022

Concessions Update

T-Mobile is continuing to support customers by extending unlimited talk, text and data to all postpaid and prepaid customers in the following impacted Florida counties through Friday, October 7:

  • Charlotte
  • Collier
  • Desoto
  • Hardee
  • Hendry
  • Highlands
  • Lee
  • Manatee
  • Sarasota

AM Update: October 3, 2022

T-Mobile’s Community Support teams are continuing to deploy around Florida with plans to be in various locations including ongoing support in Fort Myers along with Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs and Estero. The teams will have Wi-fi, device charging, chargers and more available for those in need in those communities.

Update: October 2, 2022

Community Support Update

T-Mobile’s Community Support teams are continuing to deploy around Florida with plans to be in various locations around Venice, Estero, Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers, Orlando and Lake Kissimmee. They will continue to have Wi-fi, device charging, chargers and more available for those in need in those communities.

Update: October 1, 2022

Network Update

South Carolina & North Carolina:

T-Mobile teams are assessing sites in South Carolina and North Carolina, and continue to work closely with federal, state and local officials and emergency teams. The vast majority of T-Mobile’s network is up and running in impacted areas. A small percentage of sites are still offline due to commercial power, third-party vendors experiencing issues or other factors. T-Mobile Emergency Management teams will be deploying additional network assets where needed and as conditions safely allow them to do so.

Florida:

T-Mobile’s network continues to improve in Florida as sites that were previously offline due to accessibility, power outages, third-party vendor issues or other factors are getting up and running. Restoring service in the hardest hit areas on the west coast of Florida, including Ft. Myers and Lee County remains a priority. High water in flooded areas, including Volusia County and Daytona Beach within, impacted some sites. Teams are continuing to assess and move in additional network equipment needed as safety allows.

T-Mobile’s Emergency Management team continues to deploy generators where commercial power is still unavailable and additional network assets such as SatCOLTs, CoWs, quick deploy satellites and microwave solutions. There is also a significant effort underway to refuel generators across the state.

Community Support Update

T-Mobile’s Community Support team remains in Florida and are deploying to locations in Estero, Ft. Myers, Cape Coral and Sarasota. They will be at emergency shelters and other locations as needs are identified. Within those communities, our teams may be moving locations to best accommodate need or other factors, and they’ll be providing various services such as Wi-fi, device charging, chargers and more.

PM Update: September 30, 2022

Customer Concessions

T-Mobile is supporting its customers by extending unlimited talk, text and data to all postpaid and prepaid customers in impacted areas of South Carolina through October 3 the following counties:

  • South Carolina: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry and Jasper.

We already have unlimited talk, text and data in place for the following areas also impacted by Hurricane Ian, also through October 3:

  • Florida: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakulla
  • Georgia: Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Echols, Glynn, Lanier, Lowndes and Ware

AM Update: September 30, 2022

Network Update

Across the region, the vast majority of T-Mobile’s network remains up and running. Recovery efforts in Florida are underway, with some sites remaining on generator power and areas with outages are impacted by commercial power availability or third-party vendor issues. Our teams are also on the ground to check sites, refuel generators and add emergency equipment as needed and as conditions allow. We are also closely monitoring Ian’s path and impact in South Carolina and North Carolina, and continuing to work closely with federal, state and local teams.

Community Support Update

T-Mobile’s Community Support team is in Florida and are deploying to locations in Naples, Ft. Meyers and Immokalle where they can best serve the communities — including shelters, high schools and other locations. Within those areas, our teams may be moving locations to best accommodate need or other factors, and they’ll be providing various services such as Wi-fi, device charging, chargers and more. 

Store Update

Some stores in the western and eastern parts of Florida remain closed or on reduced hours, and some stores in South Carolina have closed as the storm moves through. Check our store locator if you are looking to visit a store.

Update: September 29, 2022

Tropical Storm Ian has intensified to a Category 1 hurricane as it heads toward South Carolina with landfall expected Friday morning. Florida is experiencing river and urban flooding, and hurricane-force winds are expected along the coasts of northeast Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.  Flooding is also expected in southeastern George and eastern South Carolina.

Network Update

Across the region, the vast majority of T-Mobile’s network is up and running. Some sites remain on generator power and areas with outages are impacted by commercial power availability or third-party vendor issues from the storm. This may fluctuate some depending on site accessibly for refueling generators for sites without commercial power — we have teams checking equipment as soon as it’s safe to do so. Hardest hit include the Ft. Meyers, Tampa, Orlando and Miami areas, consistent with what we’re seeing from the storm overall.

Emergency Network and Community Support Efforts

As Ian makes its way out of Florida, T-Mobile’s network and community support teams are engaged in recovery, restoration and support efforts. We have teams on the ground checking equipment where it’s safe to do so, and we’re also working in the hardest hit areas of Lee County, Sanibel and Pine Islands, and Ft. Myers Beach to restore service. Additional emergency equipment and teams have been staged in Alabama, Georgia and parts of Florida and are deploying into impacted areas where safe to do so. This includes mobile network command centers, generators and fuel trucks, along with mobile network equipment such as COLTs and SatCOLTs (Cells on Light Trucks and Satellite Cells on Light Trucks) and COWs (Cells on Wheels).

Also, T-Mobile’s Community Support team is moving toward impacted areas with additional critical communication equipment — including mobile command centers, WiFi trailers, and pickup and light-duty trucks, and will be providing thousands of chargers, cables, phones and more to help people in impacted communities.

We’re also working with federal, state and local teams to provide support and resources in impacted areas.

Store Update

Many stores in the storm’s path through Florida remain closed, and as Hurricane Ian continues, some stores in its projected path may close. Check our store locator if you are looking to visit a store.

T-Mobile Community Support fleet preparing support for Hurricane Ian

Update: September 28, 2022

Hurricane Ian made landfall as a category 4 hurricane near Cayo Costa with sustained winds around 150 MPH. Life-threatening storm surge is expected along much of the Florida west coast from Englewood to Bonita Beach, and catastrophic wind damage is expected along the path of the hurricane as it moves northward. A state of emergency is in place across Florida and Georgia. North Carolina and South Carolina have declared a state of emergency in anticipation of a second landfall in South Carolina in coming days.

Network Update

T-Mobile’s network is generally holding up well. Some of our sites are on generator power, which will maintain connectivity if there is loss of commercial power. Our network and engineering teams are monitoring the situation closely and will move in to refill generators in impacted areas as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Store Update

Many stores in the storm’s path are closed and may remained closed tomorrow depending on the hurricane’s impact. Check our store locator if you are looking to visit a store.

Customer & Community Support Update

Text IAN to 90999 to make a one-time $10 donation to the American Red Cross. Your donation will help those affected by Hurricane Ian and the immediate and long-term recovery efforts. They’ve mobilized and are prepared with supplies: including cots, blankets, flashlights, food, water and clean-up kits. Volunteers are on the ground, ready to help people in need, and they’re working with local officials to transition to post-storm sheltering.

Text DISASTER to 20222 to make a one-time $10 donation to the Florida Disaster Fund activated by the Volunteer Florida Foundation. Your donation will support local disaster relief organizations active in disaster response and recovery.

Text RELIEF to 20222 to make a one-time $10 donation to the Orlando Health Foundation. They’re closely monitoring as the storm moves into the Orlando area later tonight. They are preparing to ensure they will remain open during the storm. Your donation will support their team and provide care to those who need it.

Customer Concessions

While the majority of our customers are on plans with unlimited talk, text and data, for those who aren't, we continue to offer unlimited talk, text and data starting September 28 through October 3 for those expected to be most impacted by the storm in the following counties:

  • Florida: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakulla
  • Georgia: Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Echols, Glynn, Lanier, Lowndes and Ware
T-Mobile Mobile Command Center staged prior to Hurricane Ian making landfall.

Update: September 27, 2022

Hurricane Ian hit Cuba early this morning as a Category 3 storm. It is now approaching Florida and is expected to cause hurricane-force winds, tropical storm conditions and storm surge tomorrow. A state of emergency has been declared and evacuation orders have been issued across multiple counties.

Network Update

Network and engineering teams continue to prepare for impact. They are refueling generators and staging equipment, including portable generators and temporary network solutions such as Cells on Wheels (COWs) and Cells on Light Trucks (COLTs).

There are also crews on the ground monitoring equipment and available to assist in restoration efforts if the need arises.

Store Update

As a safety precaution, many stores expected to be in the storm’s path have been closed or are closing early today. Please plan you visit and check if your local store is open at this link.

Customer & Community Support Update

T-Mobile’s Community Support team is staging equipment, including Wi-Fi trailers, a mobile command center and several trucks in safe locations, ready to deploy to emergency shelters as it’s safe to do so.

Customer Concessions

While the majority of our customers are on plans with unlimited talk, text and data, for those who aren't, we are offering unlimited talk, text and data starting September 28 through October 3 for those expected to be most impacted by the storm in the following counties:

  • Florida: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakulla
  • Georgia: Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Echols, Glynn, Lanier, Lowndes and Ware

More Information

If you are in an area that could potentially be impacted, please follow any evacuation orders that may be issued by local authorities and do all you can to stay safe.

If you have pets, make sure you have a way to transport them if you need to evacuate, such as a carrier. Also gather things like their food, water bottle, bowl, toys and treats so they have what they need as you evacuate. For more tips, check out the Best Friends Animal Society.

T-Mobile recovery assets are staged in preparation for Hurricane Ian.

September 26, 2022

T-Mobile is closely monitoring and preparing for Hurricane Ian, which will hit Cuba and then could make landfall in Florida. Hurricane-force winds are expected in west-central Florida beginning Wednesday morning, and there is potential for widespread and long-lasting power outages along the immediate coast on Wednesday and Thursday. Here’s what we’re doing to prepare:

Network Update

T-Mobile’s network teams are activating their emergency operations plans and preparing for any potential impacts. Fixed and portable generators are being fueled, staging areas are being readied and staffed, and our Emergency Management team is meeting with FEMA and Florida government officials.

Store Update

Our stores may be taking safety precautions and close ahead of the hurricane’s arrival. If you need to visit us, please reach out to your local store to confirm they are open. You can also call 611 or 1-800-937-8997 from your handset if you need assistance, or have questions about your account or service, and we will be happy to help.

Customer & Community Support Update

T-Mobile’s Community Support team is preparing equipment and personnel to support the impacted community as conditions allow.

More Information

If you are in an area that could be impacted, please do your best to stay safe. Here are a few more things you can do to prepare:

  • Make a disaster kit. Include things like batteries, snacks, water, first aid kit, flashlight and equipment chargers.
  • We recommend that you update contact numbers for your family, friends and emergency services. Make sure they are saved, backed up and written somewhere accessible.
  • Subscribe to local authority text alerts and connect with local authority social media to learn about new developments before, during and after the hurricane.
  • Keep your mobile devices fully charged. Keep charging cables handy and consider investing in a car or portable charging device.
  • Download emergency assistance apps from the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
  • Make sure your phone supports wireless emergency alerts and that you have enabled notifications on your device. Visit t-mobile.com/wea for details on setting up alerts on T-Mobile and Sprint devices.
  • Set up Wi-Fi Calling on your phone. For Apple devices, go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling; for Android devices, go to Settings > More Connection Settings > Wi-Fi Calling.

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