Verizon to support Florida and Georgia communities affected by Hurricane Helene Call/Text/Data usage incurred by customers in hardest hit counties will be waived from Sept. 26-Oct. 5

Rhea-AI Summary

Verizon has announced it will waive domestic call, text, and data usage for postpaid consumer, small business, and Verizon Prepaid customers in parts of Florida and Georgia affected by Hurricane Helene from Sept. 26-Oct. 5, 2024. The waiver applies to specific counties in both states. For prepaid customers using various Verizon-owned brands, service end dates will be extended to Oct. 5, 2024.

Verizon's network is prepared for the hurricane with redundancy in critical paths and components. All macro cell sites have backup battery power, and most sites in affected areas have backup generators. The company has ensured that batteries and generators are operational and refueled, with ongoing refueling efforts to maintain power during commercial outages.

Positive

• Waiving call/text/data usage fees for affected customers from Sept. 26-Oct. 5, 2024
• Extending service end dates for prepaid customers to Oct. 5, 2024
• 100% of macro cell sites have backup battery power
• Majority of cell sites in affected areas have backup generators

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

+0.61%

1 alert

+0.61% News Effect

On the day this news was published, VZ gained 0.61%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

For media: Regular updates can be found here.

What you need to know:

• Verizon to waive domestic call, text, and data usage for postpaid consumer, small business customers,* and Verizon Prepaid customers impacted by the storm in parts of Florida and Georgia from Sept. 26-Oct. 5, 2024.
• For prepaid customers using Straight Talk, Tracfone, Total Wireless, Simple Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile, Net10, GoSmart, and Page Plus, we will extend service end dates to Oct. 5, 2024.
• With year-round preparedness, hardened network infrastructure, and an extensive fleet of mobile assets, Verizon’s networks are primed for Hurricane Helene.
  

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To help residents in Florida and Georgia expected to be impacted by Hurricane Helene, Verizon will waive postpaid domestic call/text/data usage from Sept. 26-Oct. 5. This will bring relief to the thousands of customers who rely on their mobile devices now more than ever, especially during this challenging time.

The waiver will apply to all postpaid consumer customers, small business customers*, and Verizon Prepaid customers in the following counties:

Florida: Alachua, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Pasco, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla.

Georgia: Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Mitchell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth.

Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer. Any overages for those whose billing cycles have already closed will be automatically credited back.

For prepaid customers using Straight Talk, Tracfone, Wireless , Simple Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile, Net10, GoSmart, and Page Plus, we will extend service end dates to Oct. 5, 2024.

"At Verizon, our dedication to our customers extends far beyond delivering reliable service; it means standing by their side when they need us most,” said Atlantic South Market President, Leigh Anne Lanier. “We recognize the immense challenges our communities are facing as Hurricane Helene prepares to make landfall, and we hope this gesture offers some comfort, allowing our customers to focus on what truly matters during these trying times."

Verizon's networks are primed to maintain connectivity even in the face of extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes. With redundancy built into critical paths and components, Verizon's network is engineered to withstand severe weather. Verizon engineers have prepared by conducting thorough checks, as well as ensuring backup systems, like batteries and generators, are operational and refueled.

One hundred percent of Verizon macro cell sites, which provide large area coverage, have backup battery power and the majority of cell sites in the affected areas in Florida and Georgia. have backup generators. While commercial power is out, Verizon equipment and facilities across the area are being powered by these batteries and generators. Refueling efforts are underway to ensure those generators continue to provide power. Our engineers are confident we have the necessary fuel and crews to keep that operation running 24x7 until that happens.

*Verizon small business customers include customers with 50 lines or less.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed in 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $134.0 billion in 2023. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, and security.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media contact:

Winnie Wright
(678) 594-1775
Winnie.Wright@verizon.com

Parker Branton
(770) 841-6737
Parker.Branton@verizon.com

FAQ

What is Verizon (VZ) offering to customers affected by Hurricane Helene?

Verizon is waiving domestic call, text, and data usage fees for postpaid consumer, small business, and Verizon Prepaid customers in specific counties of Florida and Georgia from Sept. 26-Oct. 5, 2024. They're also extending service end dates for prepaid customers using various Verizon-owned brands to Oct. 5, 2024.

Which areas are covered by Verizon's (VZ) Hurricane Helene relief efforts?

The relief efforts cover specific counties in Florida and Georgia, including 21 counties in Florida (such as Alachua, Citrus, and Leon) and 19 counties in Georgia (including Atkinson, Ben Hill, and Lowndes).

How is Verizon (VZ) preparing its network for Hurricane Helene?

Verizon has built redundancy into critical network paths and components. All macro cell sites have backup battery power, and most sites in affected areas have backup generators. They've conducted thorough checks and ensured backup systems are operational and refueled.

Do Verizon (VZ) customers need to take any action to benefit from the Hurricane Helene relief offer?

No, customers do not need to take any action. The waiver will be applied automatically, and any overages for those whose billing cycles have already closed will be credited back.