The Zello App and whether it helps in an emergency

When a cellphone tower goes down, you can't make or receive phone calls that connect through that tower. The way smartphones work though, is it'll search and find the next nearest tower. But everyone else's phone does that too. After a weather disaster, like a hurricane, working cell towers reach capacity. Phone calls won't go through. But you can still connect with someone.
Text messages will likely go through because they require a small amount of bandwidth. The same is true for messaging apps such as WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook Messenger and Twitter. But you'll still need some type of connection, whether that's from the cell tower or WiFi.
Another app to have downloaded in case of emergency is Zello.
(if anyone knows someone in____ there are trees down everywhere...)
It's a walkie-talkie app, used by many rescue agencies and volunteers. On the gulf coast, the group "CajunNavy" uses Zello to communicate following Hurricane Ida.
Other public channels on Zello connect people to locate others, check on roads and pass along ways to help.
You can also add friends and family who use the Zello app to connect with them one-on-one in private.
Zello does not connect when there's no internet connection of any kind. But all it, needs is a faint cell signal.
AT&T is deploying these emergency COWS which stands for Cell On Wheels. The provider has thousands of them across the country and they're being put in a position to connect people until its able to restore service to the towers.
When cell towers are down or if there are any cell service interruptions, don't try to call. Use one of these messaging apps or send them a text. That's What the Tech I'm Jamey Tucker

[@vincetalancon604]

That’s excellent information for the general public to know. I am a communications system administrator. And we have what’s app and a VHF P-25 Digital AES -256 Encrypted system that covers 70 percent of the county we operate in.