When the Earth is Gone: The Persistence of the Internet

The Internet as a Vital Infrastructure

Our reliance on the internet has grown to the point where it functions as a central nervous system for modern society. We are perpetually engaged in online activities – streaming content, making purchases, interacting on social media – with our collective consciousness interwoven into a vast, global network of information and emotion.

Considering the Consequences of Disruption

However, a critical question arises: what occurs when this interconnected system fails? This concern was explored by E.M. Forster over a century ago in his short story, “The Machine Stops.” The narrative depicts a future civilization wholly dependent on machines that abruptly cease to function.

From Science Fiction to Present Reality

The anxieties presented in Forster’s work are no longer confined to the realm of science fiction. Internet outages now extend beyond the inconvenience of missing online content. Essential services like hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and governmental bodies – indeed, the entirety of modern civilization – are profoundly dependent on consistent connectivity.

The Evolving Landscape of Disaster Response

Consequently, the approach to disaster response has undergone a significant transformation. Historically, efforts were primarily focused on rescue operations and damage mitigation – saving lives and minimizing destruction.

Today, however, establishing internet access has become the foremost priority, not only for affected citizens but also for first responders who require reliable bandwidth for their safety, mission awareness, and real-time situational understanding.

Connectivity: A Foundational Requirement

Despite the challenges in securing contracts and the gradual increase in data availability, these factors become irrelevant without initial connectivity. This third installment in our series on the future of technology in disaster response will examine the evolving role of bandwidth and connectivity during emergencies.

Exploring Network Resilience and Technological Advancements

We will analyze how telecommunications companies are building resilience into their networks while simultaneously addressing the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, we will investigate how first responders are integrating connectivity into their operational procedures.

Finally, we will explore the potential impact of emerging technologies, such as 5G and satellite internet, on these crucial activities.

• The importance of reliable internet access in modern disaster response.
• How telcos are adapting to climate change and building network resilience.
• The integration of connectivity into first responder operations.
• The role of 5G and satellite internet in future emergency situations.

Maintaining Wireless Connectivity Amidst Increasing Climate Instability

The escalating intensity of global weather events, driven by climate change, is creating significant challenges for industries dependent on environmental stability. Telecom companies, with their extensive wired and wireless infrastructure, are particularly vulnerable to disruption from severe storms. Ensuring the resilience of these networks is not only crucial for consumers but also vital for first responders engaged in disaster mitigation and network restoration efforts.

A primary concern for all major telecommunications providers is maintaining a consistent power supply – without power, network functionality is impossible. Consequently, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have substantially increased their resilience investments in recent years, responding to both the growing demand for wireless services and the increasing damage caused by extreme weather conditions.

Jay Naillon, T-Mobile’s senior director of national technology service operations strategy, highlighted the company’s focus on integrating resilience into its network expansion. Investments have been directed towards generators at cell tower locations, providing a reliable power source when the main grid fails. He stated that “areas that have experienced hurricanes or possess vulnerable grids” have received the “most significant investment in fixed assets.”

Similar to its competitors, T-Mobile proactively deploys equipment in anticipation of potential disruptions. When a hurricane develops in the Atlantic, the company strategically transports portable generators and mobile cell towers to areas likely to experience outages. Naillon explained that they analyze annual storm forecasts and engage in “extensive preventative planning.” Collaboration with emergency managers and participation in “various drills” further refine their preparedness, identifying network segments most susceptible to damage during emergencies. Last year, a partnership with StormGeo enhanced their ability to accurately predict weather events.

For AT&T, predictive artificial intelligence is also a key component of disaster preparedness. Jason Porter, who oversees the public sector and FirstNet first-responder network, explained that AT&T collaborated with Argonne National Laboratory to develop a climate change analysis tool. This tool assesses the location of cell towers and their ability to withstand the impacts of the next 30 years of “floods, hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires.” “We redesigned our buildout… based on the predictions from our algorithms,” he said, adding that vulnerable cell towers are being elevated four to eight feet on “stilts” to enhance their resilience to certain weather events, “providing ourselves with some additional buffer.”

AT&T is also navigating the increasing complexity of maintaining reliability in a climate-altered world. Porter noted that in recent years, “a significant portion of our deployments have been in response to weather-related events.” The company has therefore “focused intensely on expanding our generator coverage over the past few years” and is also prioritizing the development of its portable infrastructure. “We can deploy entire data centers on trucks, effectively establishing a central office,” he said, noting that the company’s national disaster recovery team responded to thousands of incidents last year.

Specifically for its FirstNet service, AT&T has introduced two innovative technologies to accelerate bandwidth delivery to disaster zones. First, the company is utilizing drones to provide aerial wireless services. Following Hurricane Laura’s impact on Louisiana last year, where “cell towers were severely damaged… resembling crumpled aluminum,” a sustainable solution was needed. The company then deployed FirstNet One – a “dirigible” capable of providing “twice the coverage range of a cell tower on a truck,” with the ability to remain airborne for weeks and refuel quickly, offering “long-term, sustainable coverage.”

Secondly, AT&T is developing FirstNet MegaRange – a high-powered wireless system announced earlier this year. This system can transmit signals from considerable distances, such as from a ship offshore, to deliver dependable connectivity to first responders in the most severely affected areas.

As the internet becomes increasingly integral to daily life, the expectations for network resilience have risen dramatically. Even brief outages can disrupt essential services, from a first responder’s communications to a student’s online learning and a doctor’s remote surgery. Telecom companies are making substantial investments in fixed and portable generators, rapidly deployable mobile cell towers, and even dirigibles to ensure continuous network operation.

However, these efforts represent costs borne by telecom companies operating in an increasingly unstable world. Discussions with representatives from all three major providers and other disaster response organizations revealed a consensus that utilities must increasingly prioritize self-sufficiency in the face of climate change. For example, cell towers require independent power sources because, as demonstrated by events in Texas earlier this year, the power grid itself cannot be relied upon. Furthermore, critical applications require offline functionality, as internet outages are not always avoidable. The system functions, but it is also susceptible to failure.

Data Transmission Defines Modern Emergency Response

Although dependable connectivity is a cornerstone of modern life for many, disaster relief organizations have historically been cautious about fully adopting connected technologies. The realization that a traditional map could prove invaluable during a cellular network outage – such as during a tornado – underscores this hesitancy. Traditional survival tools like paper, pens, and compasses retain their relevance in the field, just as they have for decades.

However, the potential of software and network connectivity to enhance emergency response has prompted a reevaluation of field communication strategies and the extent of technological integration. The ability to transmit data from the front lines is incredibly valuable, significantly improving the capacity of operations planners to respond with both safety and efficiency.

Significant investments have been made by both AT&T and Verizon to specifically address the unique requirements of the first responder community. AT&T, particularly, has become a leading provider through its FirstNet network, operated via a public-private partnership with the Department of Commerce’s First Responder Network Authority. In exchange for building a network exclusively for responders, the government provided a dedicated spectrum license in Band 14, a key recommendation stemming from the 9/11 Commission’s findings that communication failures hindered first responders on that tragic day. Porter from AT&T states that the network buildout is now “90% complete,” covering approximately 3 million square miles.

Why is there such a focus on first responders? These telecommunications companies are investing in this sector because first responders are at the forefront of technological advancement. They require edge computing, rapid decision-making powered by AI/ML, the bandwidth and low latency of 5G, and exceptionally high reliability – and they are generally profitable clients. Essentially, the needs of first responders today foreshadow the demands of the general consumer base tomorrow.

Cory Davis, Verizon’s director of public safety strategy and crisis response, emphasized that “first responders are increasingly reliant on technology to save lives.” His colleague, Nick Nilan, who oversees product management for the public sector, noted that while voice communication was the primary focus historically, “the importance of data” has dramatically increased over the past five years. He highlighted the growing adoption of tools for situational awareness, mapping, and other applications becoming standard in emergency response. Ultimately, all first responder activities “rely on the network – having the necessary coverage and access during critical events.”

A key challenge for telecommunication providers is that everyone expects network access during a disaster, precisely when network resources are most strained. First responders attempting to communicate with their teams or command centers must compete with citizens seeking to inform loved ones of their safety – or even those seeking entertainment while evacuating.

This competition underscores the value of a dedicated network like FirstNet, which utilizes its own exclusive spectrum and devices restricted to first responder use. Porter explained that consumer demand for remote learning, remote work, and general bandwidth usage overwhelmed providers. “Fortunately, through FirstNet… we were able to allocate 20 MHz of spectrum for first responders,” ensuring clear communication channels for critical operations.

While FirstNet’s dedicated spectrum is central to its strategy, it’s only one aspect of a broader effort to provide first responders with consistent and reliable wireless access. AT&T and Verizon have implemented prioritization and preemption as core network features. Prioritization grants public safety users improved network access, while preemption can involve temporarily disconnecting lower-priority users to guarantee immediate access for first responders.

Nilan of Verizon explained, “The network is designed to serve everyone… but when determining who absolutely needs access, we prioritize first responders.” Verizon employs prioritization, preemption, and virtual segmentation – “separating their traffic from consumer traffic” – to prevent competition for bandwidth during disasters. He noted that all these capabilities have been available since 2018 and are offered under the newly launched Verizon Frontline brand.

Enhanced bandwidth and reliability are enabling levels of connectivity for first responders previously unimaginable. Equipment that was once manual is now increasingly digital, including tablets, sensors, and connected devices.

This infrastructure development unlocks a range of possibilities. Interviewees suggested applications such as decentralized coordination of response teams via GPS and 5G; real-time, updated maps providing current risk assessments; dynamic pathfinding for evacuees; AI-powered damage assessments preceding recovery efforts; and much more. Many of these possibilities, previously confined to marketing materials and technical projections, are poised to become reality in the coming years.

The Role of 5G in Disaster Response

For several years, discussions surrounding 5G technology have been prevalent, with even 6G occasionally mentioned. However, what does 5G actually signify within the realm of disaster response? After considerable anticipation, concrete answers are beginning to emerge.

According to Naillon from T-Mobile, a primary advantage of 5G lies in its capacity to “expand coverage areas,” particularly due to the utilization of low-band spectrum inherent in the standard. Nevertheless, he stated, “Currently, we haven’t reached a point where 5G is substantially impacting emergency response applications.”

Porter of AT&T highlighted that “a key benefit of 5G is not necessarily increased speed, but rather reduced latency.” While consumers are frequently presented with marketing focused on high bandwidths, latency and edge computing are often the most sought-after features in emergency services. For example, devices can directly transmit video to each other in the field, circumventing the need for transmission back to the central wireless network. Local processing of image data can facilitate swift decision-making in situations where time is critical.

This adaptability is fostering numerous innovative applications in disaster response, and “we are witnessing remarkable use cases stemming from our 5G deployments, including pilot programs with the [Department of Defense],” Porter explained. He cited the use of “robotic platforms for bomb disposal, inspection, and recovery operations” as an example.

Verizon has prioritized innovation in new applications, establishing a 5G First Responders Lab to support a new wave of startups developing solutions at the intersection of these technologies. Nilan of Verizon stated that the incubator has hosted over 20 companies across four cohorts, focusing on areas ranging from virtual reality training simulations to augmented reality applications enabling firefighters to “see through obstructions.” His colleague Davis added that “artificial intelligence will continue to advance significantly.”

Blueforce, a company participating in the Lab’s initial cohort, leverages 5G to interconnect sensors and devices, empowering first responders to make informed decisions based on the most current data. Michael Helfrich, the founder and CEO, explained that “thanks to these advanced networks, commanders can operate outside of vehicles and in the field, accessing the same level of information” previously only available within a command center. He also mentioned the exploration of alternative information presentation methods beyond traditional screens, including “audio cues, haptic feedback, and heads-up displays.”

While 5G promises substantial improvements in emergency response capabilities, existing 4G networks will not become obsolete. Davis pointed out that many field sensors do not require the low latency or high bandwidth offered by 5G. “LTE will remain relevant for many years to come,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of LTE-M standards for Internet of Things (IoT) devices as a key future development.

Elon Musk and the Future of Disaster Response

According to Michael Martin, from the emergency response data platform RapidSOS, a revitalized focus on addressing genuine challenges is evident within the disaster response sector. He refers to this phenomenon as the “Elon Musk effect.” This impact is particularly noticeable in the realm of connectivity, largely due to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite bandwidth initiative.

Traditionally, satellite uplinks have been hampered by significant limitations in both latency and bandwidth, rendering them problematic for use during disaster situations. Moreover, the physical conditions following certain disasters can present substantial difficulties in establishing these uplinks.

Starlink aims to overcome these obstacles, offering simplified connections, increased bandwidth capacity, reduced latency, and a worldwide coverage area that would be highly desirable for emergency personnel worldwide.

While the network is still undergoing development, predicting its precise influence on the disaster response market remains challenging. However, it warrants close observation in the coming years. If Starlink delivers on its potential, it could fundamentally transform disaster response strategies throughout this century.

Even without considering Starlink, the advancements anticipated this decade in emergency response signify a complete paradigm shift.

The increasing depth and reliability of connectivity are altering the landscape for first responders. They are moving away from complete dependence on outdated methods and embracing the possibilities of modern digital technology.

This transition represents an unstoppable force, reshaping how we approach emergency situations.

Key Benefits of Enhanced Connectivity

• Faster Response Times: Improved communication allows for quicker dispatch of aid.
• Increased Situational Awareness: Real-time data provides a clearer understanding of the disaster zone.
• Enhanced Coordination: Seamless communication between teams streamlines rescue efforts.
• Wider Coverage Area: Starlink’s global footprint extends connectivity to remote locations.