When Hurricane Ida made landfall on August 29, 2021, residents likely did not know it would become the second-most damaging hurricane in Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina.According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Hurricane Ida resulted in over 468,000 Louisiana households losing telephone, television and/or internet services.Dylan DiNubile was one such Louisiana resident living in New Orleans when Ida hit who experienced the effects of a city without internet access. DiNubile states that he was lucky, however, to have access to Tulane University’s storm preparation resources.
As a Tulane student, DiNubile noted how paramount the school’s storm preparation systems were in keeping students online.Until he trekked over to Tulane’s campus, DiNubile was unable to communicate or charge his devices. “But as for my friends who were locals to NOLA, they had to rely on their storm prep and were largely unable to communicate for many days as the city’s power system was rebuilt,” he said. The disastrous effects of Hurricane Helene also revealed telecommunications gaps that are still prevalent in western North Carolina.The area experienced unprecedented damage in 2024 due to high-speed winds and flooding. Telecommunications systems went dark, leaving residents stranded and helpless at a time when being able to communicate made all the difference. Helene destroyed more than 1,700 miles of fiber-optic cables and knocked out the area’s cell towers, severely hindering efforts to restore connectivity due to widespread storm damage. But what if communities experiencing severe internet outages, like those in Ida’s and Helene’s disaster areas, had access to an emergency broadband solution that not only helps community response teams but also individuals? That’s the question Mission Telecom asked and answered when it launched its new emergency broadband solution ahead of wildfire and hurricane season. Mission Telecom aims to close the critical gap in natural disaster preparedness Mission Telecom is a nonprofit telecommunications organization that connects communities with affordable broadband solutions, aiming to expand digital equity in a time when broadband access is more crucial than ever. Mission Telecom’s new Rapid Emergency Support & Preparedness Offer for Network Deployment (RESPOND) Kit is a direct response to the telecommunications gaps revealed by natural disasters like Hurricane Helene, Ida and many more. “After seeing how communities struggle to stay online during hurricanes, wildfires, and other emergencies, we created a fast, affordable solution that ensures first responders, libraries, and nonprofit organizations can stay connected when it matters most,” Rhea Yaw Ching, Executive Director of Mission Telecom, told Allconnect. How it works The RESPOND Kit delivers broadband connectivity on T-Mobile’s 5G network, which is widely available across the U.S. Some key features of RESPOND Kit connectivity include: Unlimited connectivity (no overage charges) 4G and 5G mobile hotspot connectivity when cable and fiber connections are disrupted Scalable plans to customize your coverage during emergencies and recovery Disaster response support and guidance High-speeds and low latency for additional connectivity resources, like AI, drones and video Reliable wireless connectivity when wired connections are down No hidden fees or contracts “By putting affordable, ready-to-deploy internet tools in the hands of those on the front lines, we aim to strengthen community resilience and ensure no one is left disconnected when it matters most,” Ching said. The kit is ideal for first responders, disaster agencies, community anchors and nonprofits, but it can also provide backup internet for individuals. Why disaster connectivity matters Reliable broadband ensures that first responders, aid groups and federal, state and local agencies can coordinate their efforts during natural disasters to deliver life-saving resources and services.
It’s also paramount for resource distribution, public communication and restoring connections at significant community anchor institutions like libraries, schools, hospitals and more. As disasters become more frequent and federal resources decline, we saw an urgent need for scalable, community-driven connectivity that helps people stay safe and recover faster Rhea Yaw Ching Executive Director of Mission Telecom While Mission Telecom’s RESPOND Kit can keep entire communities connected, it also helps individuals stay safe and informed during natural disasters. “Once utilized, it will ensure people can reach loved ones, access emergency updates, and apply for aid, even when other traditional networks go down,” Ching said. At a time when connectivity blackouts left individuals and families cut off from aid, information and life-saving services, the RESPOND Kit is an affordable—and wholly necessary—broadband resource for natural disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.Cost, access and availability The RESPOND Kit has two options: one with four LTE hotspots and two 5G hotspots, and another with six high-speed 5G hotspots. The kits are sold at a bulk yearly cost, but broken down, the price per month is actually cheaper than some residential internet plans from top internet providers.PlanYearly costMonthly costKey features Option 1$999.00/yr.$83.25/mo.
High-speed connectivity 4 Franklin T10 4G LTE Hotspots 2 Franklin JeXtream RG2100 5G Hotspots Option 2$1440.00/yr.$120.00/mo.High-speed connectivity 6 Franklin JeXtream RG2100 5G Hotspots Mission Telecom also offers additional low-cost broadband options, including its unlimited 5G wireless service, the Mission-Connect service, which provides affordable connectivity to schools and libraries, and the Shield 5G Home Hotspot, launched in partnership with Computers 4 People. Mission Telecom’s goal is to help communities build long-term resilience through reliable connectivity.We hope the RESPOND Kit empowers first responders, libraries, and nonprofit organizations before, during, and after disasters Rhea Yaw Ching Executive Director of Mission Telecom Explore more steps you can take to prepare for internet outages in lieu of a natural disaster, and learn more about low-cost internet options available near your home. Make sure to check our news and resource hubs for recent broadband industry developments and information.
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