Communications Repairs Hampered By Extensive Fiber Optic Damage

MEXICO BEACH, FL -- One official compared the Hurricane Michael-ravaged Panhandle to a third-world country.

An estimated 200,000 residents are still living in primitive conditions, with no electricity, running water or the ability to communicate with the outside world.

Nearly 300,000 households have no Internet, phone or TV service in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Hundreds of survivors have been unable to contact relatives to let them know they're safe. And, without television and Internet, they have no way of knowing if and when help is on the way.

About 15 percent of cell sites are still down, according to the FCC.

The FCC said the hurricane caused extensive damage to the fiber optic network used by most telecommunications companies to provide service to customers. Optical fiber transmits cell phone, Internet and cable television signals.

"The storm caused unprecedented damage to our fiber, which is essential for our network—including many of our temporary portable assets—to work," reported Verizon in a press release. "We continue to work round the clock on network restoration efforts and have seen some positive movement, although fiber connection -- needed for cell sites and some mobile assets to work -- still poses a significant challenge."

Verizon said one of the problems it is having in its effort to restore communications services comes from other repair crews.

"As soon as we have fiber repaired and start to see sites come back on air, we experience new cuts resulting from other restoration efforts happening in the community such as clearing roads, residential property clearing and replacing electric poles," Verizon said.

“We ask for patience as we urgently continue this painstaking work to restore communications to our customers in these areas. This is our top priority," said the Verizon press release.

To temporarily restore communications while the repair work is underway, AT&T in Tampa deployed satellite COLTs (Cell on Light Trucks) to Mexico Beach and other impacted areas. The portable cell site will allow first responders to communicate with one another and enable AT&T customers to reassure frantic family members.

"Overall our network is performing well and nearly fully restored in most affected areas," said AT&T officials in a press release issued Monday, Oct. 15. "Our teams continue to work around the clock to repair and restore service, and deploy additional recovery equipment to support customers and first responders."

Image via AT&T

AT&T in Tampa has sent a mobile cell site to Mexico Beach to temporarily restore communications.

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