The following statement can be attributed to David Zumwalt, the president and CEO of WISPA – The Association for Broadband Without Boundaries:
WISPA is devastated by last weekend’s tragic loss of life and property resulting from Hurricane Helene. Though the path of any hurricane can never be fully predicted, Helene’s reach into areas like Western North Carolina and Tennessee, and into Appalachia – areas not generally prepared for hurricane response – poses particularly difficult challenges due to terrain and disperse population densities. Many remain cut off from food, water, electricity, and adequate communications. Getting the basics back to the people in these areas will require a broad effort of U.S., state, and local responses, combined with other private industry, community, and individual efforts.
WISPA is reaching out to WISPs and HAM operators in the area who have been affected by the storm, sharing vital information and other resources. Wireless connectivity has proven remarkably resilient following tropical windstorm events and is, once again, an essential lifeline to those in need. Where electricity has not been lost, wireless operators are helping connect survivors with aid and assistance. For networks that suffered outages due to tower and radio damage, WISPs are working swiftly to restore online services. As during the COVID-19 pandemic, WISPA will be working with the FCC to seek special temporary authority (STA) for added spectrum capacity for current users, as well as the many thousands who are facing prolonged interruptions due to wired lines that were downed during and following the storm. Additionally, we are working with our members in affected areas to provide technical, infrastructure, and other assistance where needed. The challenges facing devastated communities are daunting, but the WISP industry – the first responder, hometown ISPs – will be there to help all along the way.
Hurricane Helene Resources: https://www.wispa.org/blog/hurricane-helene-resources/
WISPA state Hurricane Helene recovery efforts contact: Steve Schwerbel, sschwerbel@wispa.org
