The Canadian Telecommunications Association has launched an awareness campaign to help Canadians prepare for extreme weather events. With hurricanes, wildfires, and snow and ice storms becoming more frequent, it is crucial for individuals to take necessary precautions to stay connected during these events.
To prepare before a storm, it is recommended to monitor the weather and be ready for emergency alerts. Fully charging devices and having backup power supplies for essential communications equipment such as internet modems, Wi-Fi routers, and cordless phones are also important steps to take.
During a storm and in its immediate aftermath, preserving device battery power and minimizing network congestion are key. This can be done by reducing screen brightness, turning off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and location-based services when not in use, and using SMS/texting or email to connect with others instead of making phone calls. If phone calls are necessary, they should be kept short.
In emergency situations, it is advised to use a working landline phone rather than a mobile phone to call 9-1-1 in order to reduce traffic on mobile networks. However, mobile phone service is designed to default to available wireless networks for 9-1-1 calls, making it possible to use a mobile phone for emergency calls even without an operational cell tower nearby or a SIM card in the phone. It is important to note that 9-1-1 calls may take longer to connect due to increased network congestion following an emergency.
The Canadian Telecommunications Association’s awareness campaign initially targets Atlantic Canada and includes print and online ads, as well as the launch of a new website dedicated to sharing best practices. Through these efforts, the association aims to promote the importance of telecommunications in Canada’s economic growth and social development, while advocating for policies that foster investment, innovation, and positive outcomes for consumers.
For more information, visit the website telecomprepare.ca.