Challenge: Restore cell service in areas where Hurricane Helene destroyed telecommunications infrastructure
Solution: Deploy portable cell stations and provide network access through Sinch’s numbering services
Results: Rapid restoration of essential communications in North Carolina’s hardest-hit disaster zones
“We chose Sinch based on reputation,” Gareth said. “I always knew Sinch as a respected provider of voice services and numbering assets. It was a bit of a no brainer.”
Gareth Hamer
Director of Carrier Services at World Mobile
Discover how World Mobile re-established cellular coverage to hundreds of hurricane victims with Sinch’s numbering services.
When Hurricane Helene struck the eastern U.S. on Sept. 26, 2024, entire communities lost power and internet access. It left hundreds of thousands of people without the ability to connect with loved ones and emergency services.
A North Carolina resident reached out to World Mobile, a decentralized mobile network provider, to see if they could help. The company developed devices called AirNodes, which can provide internet access within a one-mile radius.
Could AirNodes be the key to reconnecting people in hard-to-reach disaster zones? World Mobile accepted the mission and quickly deployed a team to North Carolina.
“There were a few hectic days of planning,” said Mike Blake-Crawford, World Mobile’s Chief Marketing Officer who joined the team on site. “A partner provided us with a Black Hawk helicopter to bring AirNodes into some of the most-devastated areas around Asheville.”
The installation team flew into areas with damaged infrastructure and deployed AirNodes to convert Starlink’s satellite signals into cellular signals.
But to access full voice and text services, they needed one more crucial piece: local phone numbers.
World Mobile needed a numbering services partner that could provide voice and text-enabled numbers on a massive scale. Sinch, with its inventory of over 160 million numbers, was the natural choice, but that wasn’t the only reason.
“We chose Sinch based on reputation,” said Gareth Hamer, World Mobile’s Director of Carrier Services. “I always knew Sinch as a respected provider of voice services and numbering assets. It was a bit of a no brainer.”
Next, World Mobile worked with local disaster relief organizations to distribute eSIM profiles with local phone numbers from Sinch.
“These organizations were already handing out supplies like fresh water, fuel for generators, clothes, and food,” Mike said. “By setting up with them, we could help hundreds of people at a time restore their connection to the outside world.”
Locals received a QR code that they could scan to instantly activate reliable mobile service on their phones.
“It’s so easy. Any time my feet have been on the ground here, I’ve been able to make a call,” said Julia Krupps, a local relief operations lead.
The Hurricane Helene mission showcased how World Mobile’s flexible technology, combined with Sinch’s reliable voice services, can quickly restore vital communications during crises. But it’s just the beginning.
With Sinch’s support, World Mobile continues to expand its decentralized network model across the U.S. to improve people’s everyday lives. Together, they’re bringing stable and affordable mobile connectivity to underserved communities.
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