Companies are offering support to communities following emergency flooding in Texas.
Verizon has donated $100,000 to support search and rescue efforts, while also waiving domestic calls, texts and data usage from July 7 to Aug. 3 for consumers on metered plans in 28 affected Central Texas counties.
Verizon’s network remains operational despite devastation caused by the flooding, and Verizon teams are working with local public safety and emergency management efforts to coordinate communication support. The company is also providing low-earth orbit satellite devices to support the Texas Department of Public Safety’s drone search and recovery operations.
“We are committed to providing the resources and connectivity our neighbors need for safety and recovery,” said Michelle R. Miller, senior vice president at Verizon, in a statement.
AT&T has announced that its Mobile Connectivity Center will remain at The Hunt Store for the next three weeks if weather permits. This center is a free, air-conditioned public resource that offers access to 16 computers, Wi-Fi and charging stations for phones and other devices.
T-Mobile has also donated to the cause, with a $500,000 donation to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. The company is offering free Wi-Fi and charging at several locations in the area. Locations are changing, so residents can check the company’s updates for the current availability.
The company’s network remains operational in the region as of July 8, and other assets have been deployed. T-Mobile is working with the Texas Division of Emergency Management to support search and rescue operations. The company also temporarily enabled its T-Satellite with Starlink service for T-Mobile customers.
Starlink is also offering support. On July 5, the company posted on X that it would be providing “Mini kits for search and rescue efforts,” which would enable connectivity in dead zones. The company is also providing one month of free service for thousands of customers in the region, the post states.
Last Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate state emergency response resources ahead of expected weather threats.
“Texas continues to stand ready to deploy all necessary resources to support Texans as severe storms move across our state,” Abbott said in a statement.
This story first appeared in Government Technology, Industry Insider — Texas' sister publication.
ISPs Support Texas After Floods
What to Know:
- Verizon has donated $100,000 to support search and rescue efforts.
- AT&T has announced that its Mobile Connectivity Center will remain at The Hunt Store for the next three weeks if weather permits.
- Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate state emergency response resources ahead of expected weather threats.
