Verizon Mobilizes Early To Keep Customers and Communities Connected During Winter Storm Fern
With severe weather from winter storm Fern—including snow, freezing rain, and ice—forecasted across many parts of the country this weekend, Verizon’s network and response teams are mobilized to meet the unique challenges of the incoming systems. Verizon is committed to keeping our customers, first responders, and communities connected when it matters most.
Verizon’s industry-leading network covers 99% of where people live, work and play, and it is engineered with built-in redundancy to withstand extreme weather.
National Network Readiness and Resilience
We have taken proactive measures to harden our cell sites and infrastructure across the nation ahead of the winter season:
- Proactive Maintenance: Verizon engineers conduct thorough checks year-round, ensuring backup systems like batteries and generators are operational across all macro cell sites.
- Hardened Infrastructure: Our network facilities are designed to withstand extreme conditions, including sub-zero switches in the Midwest built with specialized insulation and ice protection.
- Redundant Power: To maintain connectivity in the event of commercial power loss, 100% of Verizon’s macro cell sites have backup battery power. Additionally, the vast majority of our macro sites are equipped with permanent generators.
- Fuel Staging: We pre-arrange fuel deliveries with tankers positioned to quickly respond and refuel generators if commercial power is lost.
Specialized Response and Rapid Recovery
Verizon "runs to a crisis" with a fleet of thousands of resources and specialized teams staged across the country to support response operations:
- Mobile Asset Fleet: Verizon has nearly 3,000 network and satellite assets ready to deploy, including mobile cell sites (COWs and COLTs), temporary emergency command centers, and mobile generators.
- Satellite Solutions: We maintain an industry-leading fleet of nearly 400 satellite-linked portable assets to restore service if fiber connections are compromised.
- Expert Teams: Our Dedicated Impact Response Team (DIRT) and Major Event Response Incident Team (MERIT) consist of specialized engineers and technicians trained to restore critical infrastructure in the most challenging environments.
- Public Safety Support: The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team is available 24/7 to provide mission-critical communications support to public safety agencies at no cost.
Redundant Layers for Emergency Connectivity
Even if specific cell sites are impacted by heavy ice or power loss, several redundant layers of technology help ensure emergency calls reach first responders:
- Inter-Carrier Roaming for 911: Under FCC regulations, any mobile device can connect to any available cellular signal to complete a 911 call. If a Verizon tower is unavailable, your device will automatically "piggyback" onto another carrier's network for the emergency call.
- Satellite Messaging (SOS): Customers with compatible devices can send text messages via satellite to emergency services if they are outside the range of traditional cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
- Wi-Fi Calling: If home or business internet remains active during a cellular outage, 911 calls can be routed over Wi-Fi.
How You Can Prepare
We encourage customers to prepare an emergency communication plan and follow these safety tips:
- Keep Devices Charged: Ensure phone and tablet batteries are fully charged before severe weather begins.
- Stay Informed: Monitor real-time network status through the Check Network Status tool on our website or via the My Verizon app.
- Protect Equipment: Keep devices, batteries, and chargers in a dry, accessible location.
To ensure the safety of our employees and customers, Verizon retail store hours may be impacted by the storm. Please check our store locator for the most up-to-date hours before visiting: https://www.verizon.com/stores/.
