The FCC reports that wildfires in Hawaii continue to have a major impact on communications infrastructure on Maui, with 19 of the 21 mobile sites serving Kapalua, Napili-Honokowai, Kaanapali, Lahaina, Launiupoko and Olowalu out of service as of Monday, August. 14.
Cable and wireline corporations also report that 17,832 subscribers are without service in the crisis area, meaning they could run out of phone, television and/or web service, the FCC said.
The data represents a slight improvement over the FCC’s April 12 report, when all mobile sites were down and 19,093 stressed, corded submarines were out of service.
But the FCC noted that four AM stations were observed in service (KNUI, KCIK, KAOI, KUAU), underscoring the importance of stations in an emergency.
In terms of 911 services, the Maui PD PSAP is fully functional, however, some 911 calls ended because the Lahaina transfer is remote and some mobile sites in the affected domain are down.
Several cell phone companies have deployed cellular assets on Maui in wireless facilities while constant cell sites are restored, the FCC said.
George Winslow is TV Tech’s principal content creator. He has written about the television, media and generation sectors for approximately 30 years for publications such as Broadcasting.
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