AT&T Mobility Cellular tower was down for five days during severe ice storm, cutting of cell phone users from access to emergency services. Apparently, no back-up provisions (e.g. generator) exist for electrical outages. Dallas Texas

Just before Christmas, when areas in the Northeast were hit with a devastating ice storm, the local AT&T cellular tower ceased to function for more than five days. This left me, a senior citizen, and many others in isolated, rural areas without cellular phone serivce, making it impossible to call 911 in the event of a fire or medical emergency. I consider this a very serious public safety issue and find it unthinkable that the FCC does not require contingency plans for such outages.

I (and my home) survived six days without electricity, in subfreezing temperatures, using a wood stove and gas generator. I was able to get gasoline for the generator, because the local gas station had back-up generator power. Ditto for the general store and the post office. The town hall was operating as an emergency shelter, using generator power. Yet AT&T has no ability to provide back-up service to customers in an emergency? How is this possible?

My calls to "customer service" -- a misnomer, to say the least -- were met with indifference. However, my statement that I intend to file a complaint with the FCC, the regional emergency preparedness group, contact my legislators, and write letters to the editors of local newspapers encouraging others to do the same, has resulted in a flurry of calls from more senior employees. I clearly struck a nerve, and am working to connect the dots and determine where it leads.

Otis
E. Otis, Massachusetts
U.S.A.