AT&T, Verizon Race to Shore Up Service Threatened by PG&E Outage
- Carriers roll out generators, batteries in parts of California
- Prolonged power failure could disrupt communications networks
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AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. are rolling out generators, backup batteries and technicians to keep their wireless networks operating in parts of California where PG&E Corp. has intentionally shut down power to prevent wildfires.
As many as 750,000 homes and businesses had power cut in what is the largest intentional blackout ever undertaken for wildfire prevention in California. That, in turn, is threatening to access to something almost as vital as electricity: wireless service.