Verizon, AT&T boost cell coverage ahead of eclipse

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - As the U.S. preps for the first total solar eclipse in 7 years, cell phone companies are revisiting questions about service issues during the 2017 eclipse.

Verizon’s Chris Serico said the company has prepared for the coming eclipse, as well as other possible service issues since 2017. Similar events have historically caused service issues, but not because of the actual eclipse.

“Thankfully, it unto itself has no impact on Verizon’s network,” Serico said. “Verizon’s preparedness for the eclipse is just to deal with the large groups that will meet up with the path of totality.”

Verizon has activated 100 new cell sites in the last year alone along the path of totality. They have also improved existing cell cites. AT&T has made similar improvements, and both companies have largely upgraded to 5G since the 2017 eclipse.

“The 4G networks were a little bit like maybe a two lane, a two lane highway in a state that you go down,” AT&T Atlantic State President John Emra said. “And now you think about 5G, it’s sort of like the autobahn, right? Much bigger. You know, ten lanes, lots of traffic going through.”

Emra said it can also be helpful to try and find a WiFi source. Ifyou can’t make a phone call, texting might still work.

“If you want to send photos and things like that, some of the best ways to do it is via the text app,” Emra said.

Phone companies say if you do take eclipse pictures on your phone, a protective filter can prevent damage to your phone lens. But those filters are not a replacement for glasses that protect your eyes.

Serico said if you do take pictures, avoid using filters and zooming in to achieve the best results.

“I would really advise using a burst mode whenever the good stuff really starts happening. That will allow you to take a bunch of photos at the same time to really allow you to choose from a sequence instead of trying to nail it every single time with your thumb.”

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