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Anonymous ID: 5ec43f Oct. 7, 2024, 3:51 a.m. No.21723862   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>4020 >>4181

FCC Allows Starlink Direct-to-cell Coverage for Hurricane-hit Areas

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/fcc-elon-musk-spacex/2024/10/06/id/1183047/

 

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Sunday allowed Elon Musk's SpaceX and T-Mobile to enable Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability to provide coverage for cellphones in areas of North Carolina hard-hit by Hurricane Helene.

 

The FCC often grants such emergency temporary approvals during disasters to help restore wireless and internet services in badly impacted areas and to allow for testing.

 

An FCC spokesperson said on Sunday that the agency remains "committed to helping with recovery efforts in states affected by Hurricane Helene. We stand ready to do all that is necessary to return connectivity to hard-hit areas and save lives."

 

SpaceX said the satellites "have already been enabled and started broadcasting emergency alerts to cellphones on all networks in North Carolina." The company said it may "test basic texting (SMS) capabilities for most cell phones on the T-Mobile network in North Carolina."

 

On Sept. 28, more than 74% of cell towers were out of service in disaster-impacted areas of North Carolina due to the devastation caused by Helene. The FCC said on Sunday that figure has fallen to 17% as crews work to restore service.

 

"While SpaceX's direct-to-cell constellation has not been fully deployed, we felt that getting even this early test version into the hands of people on the ground could provide vital support as teams work to get infrastructure and services back online and help first responders with rescue efforts," T-Mobile said on Sunday.

 

The company added that its "network is almost fully restored along affected regions, with less than 1% of network sites in specific areas where conditions remain particularly challenging not connected."

 

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said that "the focus is on enabling emergency alerts to smartphones."

 

Carr added that "it is important to manage expectations here. Starlink does not have a full constellation of direct-to-cell satellites in space yet. … Starlink is giving this a shot nonetheless to help address the serious need for connectivity in these disaster areas." T Mobile said in January that SpaceX had launched a Falcon 9 rocket with the first set of Starlink satellites that can beam phone signals from space directly to smartphones.

 

The companies announced plans to provide mobile users with network access in parts of the United States in August 2022. T Mobile said at the time that the direct-to-cell service would begin with text messaging followed by voice and data capabilities in the coming years.

Anonymous ID: 5ec43f Oct. 7, 2024, 3:55 a.m. No.21723878   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>4018 >>4034

'Road Closed': FEMA Abandons Citizens of N.C. Town After Helene

https://www.newsmax.com/us/helene-fema-aid/2024/10/06/id/1183054/

 

Residents of the tiny North Carolina town of Bat Cave had to fend for themselves, despite the town being almost totally destroyed by Hurricane Helene, because FEMA told them a "road closed" sign was "an insurmountable obstacle for the agency to navigate," according to the New York Post.

 

"FEMA called me and told me they wanted to inspect my house then called me back to say they couldn't drive around the 'road closed' sign," local resident Chelsea Atkins told the Post. "They weren't allowed.

 

"You can drive it by car for sure, it's not that bad, you just have to drive around the 'road closed sign.' I explained that to them. They said they couldn't."

 

Bat Cave residents came together by opening the roads and beginning the process of cleanup and recovery. Residents had told the Post they do not need or want FEMA involved now.

 

Anyone left in the town after the sick and elderly residents were airlifted to safety have not seen much of government agencies, other than Louisiana State Police Troopers, who, according to locals, have not done much.

 

Apple orchard workers with chainsaws worked with a local grading contractor to clear the roadways well before the Department of Transportation came to help.

 

The few remaining locals scavenged building supplies to shore up homes on the edge of the Broad River, now 10 times wider than before the hurricane.

 

FEMA had called Atkins to arrange an inspection of her house on the Broad River, which was rendered uninhabitable by the storm, but they did not show up because the road was closed.

 

"FEMA hasn't been here," Atkins said. "The DOT's been here, and random fire departments, like Kannapolis. They were great. But nobody's been bringing in supplies except civilians."

 

According to Atkins, FEMA showing up now could do more harm than good.

 

"It's been a civilian-run operation since day one," Atkins said. "You can't ask the authorities for help, they'll say you need to leave.

 

"We're handling it. Leave it to us, and we'll get it covered."

 

Atkins' neighbor, Curtis McCart, a retired Los Angeles fire department captain and paramedic, has not seen anyone with a FEMA uniform in the town, worrying about what will happen if they show up.

 

"At this point I don't care if FEMA comes by. I don't want somebody to pull me out of here, saying I'm working in an unsafe spot.

 

"I'm wondering if Big Brother is going to allow us to rebuild."