Quake Aftermath...the networks

[Brettoj59]

It looks like it they did pretty good, and kudos to the technicians.

Verizon Wireless Network Returns to Full Strength for Hawaii Residents Within 19 Hours

10/16/2006

HONOLULU, HI — “RU OK?” In the crush to communicate with family and friends after this weekend’s 6.7 Richter Scale earthquake, sending text messages proved to be a quick, efficient way to communicate, according to Verizon Wireless. In the aftermath of earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, voice call traffic rises exponentially. In fact, call volume on the Verizon Wireless network in Hawaii increased 250% over a normal Sunday during the height of the emergency. Text message volume also soared. Some cell sites were affected during the emergency. The network was operating at full strength within 19 hours.
http://news.vzw.com/news/2006/10/pr2006-10-16.html

Compared to.......Cingular who's network isn't even fully operational

Cingular Wireless Responds to Earthquake in Hawaii
Speedy Service Restoral and Helpful Consumers Tips

HONOLULU, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless said today that it has restored service to 98 percent of its cell sites in Hawaii following the earthquake there on Sunday and expects the remaining sites to be operational shortly. All Cingular stores in the state are open for business and serving customers.
http://cingular.mediaroom.com/index...eases&item=1715

Way to go Verizon, not too bad Cingular.

[Fire14]

I wonder if damage is preventing some sites from being restored 100% like T-1 lines broken or equipment that suffered damage, as well as loss of power & lack of generators?

[bobolito]

I wonder who the local telephone carrier is over there. If those lines are down, then none of the wireless carriers can get the cell sites operating.

[Brettoj59]

I remember when I was on Oahu all I saw was Verizon trucks driving around. So I'm guessing they serve all of Hawaii. Both companies did a commendable job, especially when it looks like Cingular has a somewhat larger network on the Big Island.

EDIT(UPDATE): After some reasearch Verizon sold their landlines to Hawaii Telecom in May 2005. http://hawaiiantel.com/index.htm

[nKrypteD1]

Irregardless I'm glad that both companies put a rush on things. Kudos

[Andy]

I'm glad that service worked/got restored fast. From what I've read on the internet, it seems like Verizon fared the best and the only 'major' problem people had within the first half an hour or so was a few network busy messages on the Verizon network, but after that it returned to normal. I have read that Cingular would not make/receive calls, and NEXTEL could only Direct Connect.

[Telekom]

Originally Posted by bobolito

I wonder who the local telephone carrier is over there. If those lines are down, then none of the wireless carriers can get the cell sites operating.

The LEC is Hawaiian Telephone Company which was related to GTE and then became part of VeriZon. If you have ever watched Hawaii 50 they always used Automatic Electric Company telephones and never Western Electric as is used in Bell System companies. Automatic Electric was related to GTE the same way Western Electric was related to the Bell System (pre-1984 divestiture.)