When A Power Outage Takes Down The Internet, Too

Our tech expert shares tips for staying online when you don’t have reliable access to power.

By Shelly BrisbinFebruary 18, 2021 9:48 am,

Many of the millions of Texas who have lost power over the past few days – and even some whose lights have remained on – have lost internet access at home. That’s certainly a less critical issue than having heat and light, but it’s a challenge for those trying to stay in touch with family and friends, or for those who need to keep working while hunkered down.

Though many people can remain in touch via their cell phones, those devices need to be charged regularly. Tech export Omar Gallaga told Texas Standard that some internet providers have been affected by power outages, meaning that even if their customers have power, service could still be impacted.

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– How a family used an electric car to stay warm and connected

– Whether higher-than-usual data charges for cell phones should be a concern

– How to prepare for future power emergencies

– What you can do to conserve energy used by tech products

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