25% of cell towers in 10 states are out, payphones become relevant again
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As you surely know already, hurricane Sandy hit the U.S. East Coast yesterday, leaving chaos and destruction in its path. The aftermath of the disaster is yet to be assessed, but it is currently estimated that the damage totals at about $15 billion. Cell phone infrastructure has suffered as well, as the FCC reports, and about 25% of all towers across 10 states from Virginia to Massachusetts are currently not functioning.
Unfortunately, the situation is expected to get worse. As their battery back-ups run out, more and more cellular towers will go out rendering wireless services even more unreliable.
Instead of calling, people are advised to use text messages when possible in order to reduce the strain on the networks. Once power in the affected areas is restored, coverage will go back to normal, yet it might take days and even weeks for that to happen.
It is being highlighted, however, that outages for landline phones are much less widespread. If your cell phone isn't working and you need to make a call, perhaps you can try using a payphone. The photo that you see here is of a queue in front of a payphone in New York, posted on Instagram by user James Del. Rare sight indeed.
source: CNET, James Del (Instagram) via Engadget, Gizmodo
Unfortunately, the situation is expected to get worse. As their battery back-ups run out, more and more cellular towers will go out rendering wireless services even more unreliable.
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It is being highlighted, however, that outages for landline phones are much less widespread. If your cell phone isn't working and you need to make a call, perhaps you can try using a payphone. The photo that you see here is of a queue in front of a payphone in New York, posted on Instagram by user James Del. Rare sight indeed.
source: CNET, James Del (Instagram) via Engadget, Gizmodo
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9 Comments
1. ajac09 posted on 31 Oct 2012, 07:41 3 0
time to make pay phones free at least for this crisis.
2. mercorp posted on 31 Oct 2012, 07:44 5 0
I'm at a payphone trying to call home
All of my change I spent on you
Where have the times gone
Baby it's all wrong, where are the plans we made for two?
Maroon 5
8. ibap posted on 31 Oct 2012, 12:03 2 0
Cyan3boN - your avatar says it all about your post. Yuck! I presume you poop on everything? Maybe they're calling to check on mom, or tell her they are OK.
6. Malique001 posted on 31 Oct 2012, 10:44 1 1
Finally an article on the situation. I thought it was my Galaxy Nexus having radio issues but this still blows. Hopefully Verizon fixes the issue asap
9. InspectorGadget80 posted on 31 Oct 2012, 19:18 0 0
Yep i was like selling pre paid phones like crazy today. try to call my relatives in ny/nj non of them doesn't have power only text works
10. Malique001 posted on 31 Oct 2012, 21:31 0 0
*Update* Verizon towers in NYC are working again guys. 3G and 4G are back
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