When natural disasters like hurricanes strike, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for customers, families, and first responders becomes AT&T’s top priority. Traditionally, network disaster recovery (NDR) has relied on large teams and physical deployment of assets to restore communications. But AT&T is now reimagining this process with the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Raj Savoor, VP, Network Analytics and Automation at AT&T, said in a blog post.
AT&T’s AI-Powered Network Geo Modeler
AT&T has introduced the Wireless Geo Modeler, a Generative AI system designed to strengthen network resilience and performance. The solution leverages synthetic data and a Network Foundation Model (NFM) to simulate and predict network coverage in real time, even under rapidly changing environmental conditions.
Using ray tracing, the Geo Modeler analyzes how radio transmissions travel across complex landscapes, enabling the system to automatically recommend — or even apply — adjustments to maintain service quality. This includes everyday performance improvements, as well as rapid responses to emergencies such as storms or tower outages.
For example:
If a cell tower goes offline during a hurricane, the Geo Modeler can instantly determine how nearby towers should be optimized to cover the gap.
The AI system can automate changes like antenna angle adjustments to maximize coverage and capacity.
Data is continuously monitored by AT&T employees to validate the AI’s recommendations and maintain reliability.
Enhancing Disaster Preparedness and Public Safety
“Mobile network operators have immense challenges in ensuring optimal coverage, high availability, and application responsiveness,” said Will Townsend, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy. “The ability to predict these parameters in near real-time delivers significant value, especially in natural disaster scenarios.”
Townsend highlighted that AT&T’s Geo Modeler provides both visibility and dynamic responsiveness to meet the needs of consumers, enterprises, and first responders.
Enabling Emerging Technologies Like Drones and Connected Cars
Beyond disaster recovery, the Geo Modeler also supports next-generation use cases:
Drones for first responders: The AI can determine optimal flight paths and elevations to ensure strong, reliable connectivity during rescue or surveillance operations.
Connected cars: The system opens doors for AI-powered APIs that allow real-time allocation of network capacity for vehicles on the move.
A Step Toward Network Autonomy
Today, AT&T’s AI-driven Geo Modeler is already live nationwide. By automating decision-making, improving coverage in near real time, and enabling auto-healing networks, AT&T is setting the stage for more autonomous, self-optimizing connectivity systems.
This advancement not only strengthens service during extreme events but also ensures customers experience reliable everyday performance — backed by the AT&T Guarantee.
AT&T Guarantee is AT&T’s customer commitment program designed to provide more flexibility, transparency, and confidence in its services. It offers customers the ability to try AT&T wireless or internet services with the assurance that if they are not satisfied, they can cancel within a set period (typically 30 days) without early termination fees. The program also covers things like device returns, bill credits, and simplified upgrade options to reduce the risk for new and existing customers.
Baburajan Kizhakedath