How Drones Have Transformed Disaster Relief

[Narrator] These days, connectivity is everything.

And being connected becomes even more important

when the unexpected happens.

In February of 2017, the residents of Ball Ground, Georgia

began to notice a pretty peculiar guest

hovering in their area.

At first glance, the object must have looked

more like alien surveillance technology

than a mobile cell tower.

Locals in Ball Ground were some of the first people

in America to spot one of AT&T's Flying COWs.

AT&T's Flying COWs, or Cells on Wings,

are specialized drones engineered specifically

to operate in harsh conditions

with the ability to reach places

other terrestrial-based cell sites cannot.

AT&T has Flying COWs that can withstand high winds

and fly for up to 24 hours continuously

at altitudes of up to 400 feet.

This allows AT&T to provide high speed

broadband LTE voice and data connectivity

to people on the ground, even in inclement conditions.

One of AT&T's Flying COWs is capable

of quickly and seamlessly connecting up to 6,500 customers

within it's coverage area to cellular service.

Beyond boosting coverage

for consumer and business customers,

AT&T's Flying COWs also provide communication

during disaster relief efforts.

AT&T realized that one of the most pressing needs

people have after a natural disaster is connectivity.

People need to be able to reach out for help.

First responders need to coordinate rescue efforts.

And engineers need to evaluate infrastructure

to arrange for the delivery of vital supplies.

Recovery starts with communication.

AT&T's first real world deployment

of their Flying COWs happened in September of 2017,

when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico's infrastructure,

including it's cellular towers.

In a life or death situation,

people were unable to reach out to emergency services

or speak with loved ones.

AT&T's Flying COW was deployed to help

provide needed connectivity

and help jumpstart the recovery process.

AT&T has invested over $650 million

in it's network disaster recovery program.

And continues to work to help civilians

and first responders in the wake of natural disasters

and other catastrophic events.

This hurricane season, AT&T is staging Flying COWs

near areas that weather forecasters anticipate

will be affected by hurricanes.

No matter what Mother Nature has in store,

AT&T's Flying COWs are prepared to help

whenever and wherever disaster strikes.

[electronic music]