10Meters News Service

Sept. 14, 2001 – Mobile Phones – U.S. stock markets are still closed, but bond trading in Chicago was back in operation yesterday, with one difference. Instead of landline phones, many traders were relying on their cells.

The cell phone, despite interruptions in service in and around Ground Zero in Manhattan, as the area of devastation is being dubbed, has been a life-saver as America reels under the impact of Tuesday's terrorist attack on New York City and the Pentagon. Sometimes literally, as in the case of victims buried in the rubble using cell phones to call for help.

Speaking before reporters Thursday, FCC Chairman Michael Powell said "how remarkable a story it is that someone buried in rubble is getting a signal and making a telephone call and that's how they're finding somebody."

Earlier in the day, Powell praised the efforts of the U.S. telecommunications community for its efforts, saying that the FCC extends its "deepest gratitude to the many communications entities both in New York and here in Washington, D.C. for their heroic efforts in ensuring that the world's premier communications network has continued to be available in this time of tragedy."

"In particular," he added, "the efforts of Verizon have been nothing short of outstanding."

Verizon, which had offices in the World Trade Center buildings, said the attack destroyed 10 wireless transmitter sites and disrupted service to an unknown number of customers. Verizon's facilities there, both landline and wireless, serve the New York Stock Exchange, among other businesses in lower Manhattan.

The company's West Street facility, which is adjacent to the devastated area, is a primary call-processing center for the area, serving 200,000 access lines and the equivalent of 3 million data circuits.

"The extent of the work we have to do is just enormous," said Verizon Vice Chairman Larry Babbio, referring to efforts to fully restore service. "It could be a very long process."

Despite the damage, Verizon was able to keep many of its connections open.

"Our network is designed to provide back-up systems, and that redundant capability kept service up for many customers who might otherwise have been out of service," Babbio added.

Babbio also said that Verizon employees who worked in the destroyed WTC towers had been accounted for.

Meanwhile, Sprint PCS said that as of Thursday it had logged 2-1/2 times the normal traffic volume for its New York City network.

Four Sprint PCS cell sites are out of service in the immediate disaster area and "many other sites across Manhattan are without service," the company said, due to commercial power outages.

Sprint PCS deployed two portable Cells On Wheels ("COWs") and additional network equipment into staging areas in Manhattan. It may bring in additional COWs, depending on need.

Sprint PCS also donated nearly 2,000 wireless phones and service to rescue workers in New York City, and 300 phones to workers in Washington, D.C. Its New York stores provided free emergency calling, and the company programmed its payphones in New York City to allow free outgoing calls.

Verizon is providing additional wireline and cellular circuits to emergency workers and investigators at the site of the Pennsylvania plane crash.