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Phone companies increasing service, preparing for disasters

Wireless providers are gearing up for the one-two punch of hurricane season and COVID-19, hoping to keep you connected with family members along the coast.

Just about a week into the Atlantic hurricane season, and we're getting a glimpse of what wireless providers are doing to make sure customers stay connected when the storms roll in.

Heavy winds, downed trees, and flooding from heavy rain can result in massive power outages, and as our smart phones become an essential tool in staying safe, informed and in touch with loved ones, the wireless companies are working year round to make sure everyone stays connected.

"We believe that our network needs to be up on the air every day, every minute of every day because we have so many of our customers lines out in the worst of conditions. We have more first responders than any other network, on our network or any other network, so, it's critical that we're up continuously."

Verizon wireless has a slew of tools in their arsenal to keep customers connected, including mobile cell phone towers that can be deployed in hours.

Even a drone that can be sent into the air.

"What it does is it allows us to be able to provide, in the most remote areas that we can access and wait for folks on the ground to be able to communicate, send emergency alerts to make phone calls and text messages."

In a statement to Fox News, AT&T said keeping customers connected during severe weather is critical, and that's why quote, "We've invested more than $650,000,000 into our national disaster recover program over the past twenty-five years," and is "ready to respond at a moments notice."

"One of the most critical things in a crisis is communication, and it's never been more valuable than it is right now."

Like Verizon, AT&T told Fox News that they also have back-up generators at most of their cell sites, and network equipment ready to roll in when the storms hit.

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