Initiative to Enhance Emergency Coordination between Carriers and Local Authorities in Maintaining and Restoring Wireless Services

WASHINGTON – CTIA, the wireless industry association, today released a set of best practices designed to help maintain wireless service during hurricanes and other natural disasters. The initiative will enhance coordination between wireless carriers and local governments in preparing for a natural disaster or emergency and speed the restoration of wireless services in the wake of such events.

CTIA and its wireless carrier members developed the new measures in consultation with leading local government and public safety officials from across the United States who have dealt with hurricanes and other weather-related emergencies, including the City of New York, Harris County, Texas, and the Larimer County Emergency Telephone Authority in Colorado.

“Wireless industry coordination with emergency response officials is critical before, during and after natural disasters to maintain and restore wireless communications for communities impacted by emergency situations,” said Scott Bergmann, CTIA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. “These best practices will help the wireless industry and local governments ensure that wireless is there when people need it most.”

Recognizing that emergency coordination efforts will vary depending upon the event and available resources, the best practices focus on: planning before disasters and emergencies occur; coordination during and after emergencies and disasters; and education awareness campaigns.

These flexible tools will enable greater coordination between wireless service providers and local governments to maintain mobile service continuity, promote resiliency efforts, and expedite restoration during and after natural disasters. The best practices were also developed in accordance with the 2016 Wireless Network Resiliency Cooperative Framework.