Flying COW Connects Puerto Rico
Experimental technology from AT&T is providing customers in Puerto Rico with voice, data, and text solutions as the community looks to restore basic services in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. This is the first time a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) high-speed wireless telecommunication has been set up via a drone.
The Flying COW (Cell on Wings) is currently providing wireless connectivity to clients within 40-square mile radius whilst hovering 400 feet above the ground, extending coverage farther than other mobile websites.
In an unprecedented event like Hurricane Maria AT&T decided to look at innovative solutions to connect first responders, customers and disaster recovery teams.
Currently deployed in the San Juan region, AT&T intends to relocate the Flying COW to other areas, including the army hospital in Manati Coliseum.
Teams are operating around the clock to restore the AT&T network and deploy additional assets in impacted areas in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Today, almost 70% of the populace in Puerto Rico and almost 95 percent of the populace in the U.S. Virgin Islands are connected again.