CHARLESTON, W.Va. (June 30, 2012) – Frontier Communications is assessing its networks and deploying crews to restore service in the aftermath of a violent storm that knocked out electric power to hundreds of thousands of residents and caused widespread damage across West Virginia and other states.
"We are working with electricity service providers and emergency responders to coordinate our restoration efforts," said Dana Waldo, Frontier's senior vice president and general manager for West Virginia. "While the safety of our men and women is our first priority, we are making every effort to restore service quickly."
Waldo said the company is working with its labor partners, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and all employees to work through the emergency conditions and provide communities and customers with service as soon as possible.
Waldo noted that Frontier, as a priority, has been working with emergency services directors to process telephone calls to 911 centers affected by the storm.
Waldo said loss of power can disrupt telecommunications services, but Frontier uses batteries and generators to operate facilities even when commercial power is lost. Many Frontier customers still may have phone service available if they have wired (non-cordless) telephones in their homes.
"We will work diligently using our alternative power supplies – batteries and generators – to maintain our telephone network," Waldo said. "A customer may lose service if phone cables that serve their neighborhood or residence are damaged, but many if not most customers still have use of their landline (non-cordless) telephones."
