Verizon, AT&T networks over 95 percent operational post-Sandy

Verizon, AT&T networks over 95 percent operational post-SandyBigwig US wireless carriers Verizon and AT&T revealed on Sunday that over 95 percent of their East Coast networks damaged due to Hurricane Sandy had become operational again.

The news of restoration of nearly 95 percent of the Verizon and AT&T networks came close on the heels of a Saturday morning statement by Con Edison - the firm which supplies power in New York City - that electricity supply had been restored to over 645,000, or nearly 70 percent, customers who had their power lines snapped because of the hurricane that lashed New York a few days back.

About the restoration of network services, Verizon said that 98.1 percent of its cell towers in the U. S. north-east had been restored and were working now. In addition, the carrier also said that it will credit the overages in text and voice messaging to its cellular subscribers in the New York City and New Jersey.

Meanwhile, AT&T revealed that almost 97 percent of its cell towers in the hurricane-affected areas had been operational again. About the restoration of the cell masts in New York, AT&T said that over 90 percent of the towers in the city were running again on Sunday.

About the progress in network restoration in New York City, as compared to the Thursday status when 80 percent cell masts in the city were functional, AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said: "We expect to make continued good progress as power and other infrastructure issues are resolved."