How to stay connected to the internet if a storm knocks out your power (and Wi-Fi) – Brainerd Dispatch

Hurricanes, tropical storms, and even severe thunderstorms can cause power outages.

You know the steps (but if you don’t, check out our guide to preparing for a power outage). If possible, plan ahead and make sure your electronics and portable chargers are charged. Then, unplug nonessential appliances and devices to prevent damage in case of a voltage surge. Report the outage to your power company. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed whenever possible. Have flashlights available for every family member.

Unfortunately, without power, your home Wi-Fi system won’t work, but that doesn’t mean you can’t access the internet.

Customers of the major wireless carriers now have a way to keep browsing the web even if they lose internet access at home.

If you have Verizon, there are several ways you can get online even if you lose power at home, Winnie Wright, public relations director for Verizon’s South Atlantic market, said in an email to The News & Observer.

Hotspot devices such as Verizon’s battery-powered Orbic Speed ​​Mobile Hotspot will continue to work as long as the core cell network infrastructure is not affected, and the company has generators and backup batteries at its cell sites to ensure connectivity even if utility power is lost.

A phone with a hotspot can be used to connect devices such as laptops and tablets to the web.

As long as Verizon’s cell towers are operational, you can access the internet from any phone, laptop, or tablet with a cellular connection.

How much does it cost? Verizon’s Unlimited Ultimate and Unlimited Plus wireless plans include 60GB and 30GB of hotspot data, respectively. The Unlimited Welcome plan doesn’t include hotspot data, but customers on that plan can add 100GB of monthly data for $10 each month.

If unlimited plan customers use up all their data allotment each month, they can add 100GB of data for $10 each month. If they choose not to pay the extra data charge, they can use as much data as they like for the rest of the month, but at reduced speeds.

Ann Elsass, AT&T’s chief public affairs manager for the Southeast, said in an email that while wind can damage wireless tower antennas and hardware, it is power outages that are more likely to disrupt wireless operations.

Before the storm hits, AT&T prepares its network by:

• Testing large capacity backup batteries at base stations,
• Distribution of portable generators with extended battery life and maintenance of stationary generators;
• Refuel the generators at base stations and exchange facilities,
• Place generators in locations that can operate after the storm has passed.

After Hurricane Florence in 2018, AT&T sent trucks equipped with charging stations and Wi-Fi connectivity to the Raleigh area to repair and restore service where conditions allowed.

When the local network is working, AT&T customers can access the Internet using wireless or hot spot devices.

How much does it cost? AT&T’s unlimited plans include hotspot data: the Unlimited Premium plan offers 60GB of data per line per month, the Unlimited Extra plan offers 30GB of data per line per month, and the Unlimited Starter plan offers 5GB of data per line per month.

If you use the data included in your plan, you will still have access to mobile hotspot data at slower speeds suitable for texting and email, but not for streaming. An additional 10 GB of data can be purchased for $15 per month.

Hotspot devices, which offer more data usage than wireless plans with hotspot data, have a rechargeable battery. As long as it’s charged and the wireless network is working, you can access the Internet on another device.

If a storm causes a power outage, the utility company must first restore power and ensure the area is safe (if there are any downed power lines, for example) before communications crews can begin working to restore connections.

A Spectrum spokesperson said in an email to The News & Observer that to make the process as quick as possible, Spectrum teams sometimes accompany utility companies to visit neighborhoods.

Spectrum customers with Unlimited and Unlimited Plus mobile plans get unlimited access to talk, text and data, but their speeds will be throttled after they use a certain amount of data (30GB or 50GB, respectively).

Both unlimited plans include mobile hotspot data, but internet speeds will be throttled once customers hit the 5GB or 10GB threshold, depending on the plan.

Spectrum customers with the “By the Gig” data option get 1GB of data each month and are charged $5 for each additional gigabyte up to 5GB (whether you use the entire gigabyte or not), after which speeds will be reduced.

Unlike other companies, Spectrum doesn’t provide hotspot devices that you can use to connect your phone, laptop, or tablet to the internet.

Like other companies, T-Mobile is taking steps to prepare its network for the storm.

For example, the provider is adding permanent backup power solutions such as generators and batteries to help people stay connected. The company has also enabled new spectrum to expand coverage and capacity to about 60 million people across the United States.

Once the storm has passed, T-Mobile can dispatch disaster response vehicles to supplement coverage and restore connectivity through satellite and microwave backhaul.

T-Mobile offers wireless plans and hot spot devices that allow customers to access the internet.

The carrier’s Go5G Next and Go 5G Plus plans include 50GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data. Go5G plans include 15GB of high-speed hotspot data, with unlimited data at reduced speeds once you reach that threshold. Essentials plan customers get unlimited 3G hotspot data, with the option to add more high-speed hotspot data.

Depending on the plan, customers can get unlimited premium data or a certain amount of data for free, after which speeds may be reduced.

T-Mobile customers can also purchase rechargeable hotspot devices that can connect multiple devices, such as phones, laptops and tablets, to the internet.

Different activities require different amounts of data, so if you’re looking to make your allotted data last the longest, here’s what you need to know:

• Streaming typically uses the most data, especially for high-definition video.
• Web surfing generally uses less data than streaming, but more than texting or calling.
• Texting and calling typically require minimal data, but video calling may use more data than texting.
• A good way to save data is to connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible.

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