Friday, May 27, 2011
This Monday, I couldn't believe the news.  Joplin, MO was hit hard by a devastating tornado, and severe weather was still on the horizon.  But, as the week has gone by, there's more to this story than just devastation.  I've been encouraged, as usual in this great nation, by the charity of others who have traveled across the country to come lend aid.

Among the corporate responders, Verizon Wireless pitched in to help in a less obvious way: cell towers.  On Monday, Verizon reported that they would be sending 3 temporary cell towers to Joplin and coordinating with emergency management to determine the best sites.  Why?  To meet one of the most basic human needs that this tornado stripped from so many: community.

Communication between emergency responders is almost always 2-way radio.  Cell towers may offer some benefit to the recovery effort, but more importantly, Verizon says it is for the families affected "so that they can contact family, friends and loved ones."  No news yet as to the data capacity of these temporary towers, nor whether they'll support 3G broadband access in addition to voice coverage.  If they do, then this would open up the possibility for even deeper connectivity via Facebook, Twitter, MMS messaging, and the like. 

In addition, Verizon has also committed a slew of mobile charging stations.  These generator-powered stations supply the second vital component to wireless connectivity: power.  Phones need recharging and these stations will afford residents in the area the ability to do just that in a time when utilities may be weeks from being restored.

We'd like to thank Verizon for this gesture that reminds us not only how charitable people can be, but just how important connectivity has become to our society.

Labels: Cell Towers, Joplin, Verizon

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