Cell Phones

FEMA Wireless Emergency Alert Test Tomorrow! (Oct. 4)

By Prince Of Petworth

From FEMA:

“IMPORTANT: On Wednesday, Oct. 4th at 2:20 p.m. ET, there will be a nationwide emergency alert test on cell phones, wireless devices, radios, and TVs.

This is a standard test that occurs at least once every three years. No action is needed.”

“FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall.

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4. (more…)

Metro now has “the most connected wireless experiences of any rail system in the U.S. with coverage available in all tunnels.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Pablo Raw

From WMATA:

“Transit riders and visitors to the nation’s capital now enjoy one of the most connected wireless experiences of any rail system in the U.S. with coverage available in all tunnels. The nation’s major wireless carriers–AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon –and Metro today officially announced the final milestone, more than a decade in the making, to provide wireless service for those who use the Metrorail system. With Metro’s 100-mile tunnel network now connected to each wireless carrier’s network, customers can communicate or stream content throughout their journey from the street to the station and in the train. (more…)

“Cell signal question – I can pick up a call, hear the other person, but they never hear me, and then call eventually drops.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I live in Capitol Hill between Eastern Market and Union Station and starting Wednesday night my cell signal only has one bar, at best. I can pick up a call, hear the other person, but they never hear me, and then call eventually drops. This is the case on both my personal and work phones, one AT&T and one Verizon. Both companies saying “no outages or issues reported.”

I’ve noticed new towers installed by the Capitol– I’m assuming that’s the cause? Is anyone else experiencing this? Should we assume this will be the case for the next week?”