“This morning’s blast could affect services to some customers in and around Nashville and damage our facilities. We are in contact with law enforcement and will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore the service,” said AT&T spokesman Jim Greer. Said AT&T spokesman Jim Greer. .
Greer told CNN the network hub was damaged.
When a network hub is disrupted, usually by a hurricane or other natural disaster, some internet traffic can be reorganized, but not all.
That’s why customers in Nashville and other parts of Tennessee reported loss of wireless phone service and other connectivity.
The network hub relies on commercial power with batteries and generator backup. These systems have been affected due to damage to the facility and service will be disrupted later in the day on Friday.
Disruptions to the downtown network hub have cascading effects at the airport and elsewhere.
AT&T is setting up portable cell towers in Nashville to support law enforcement and improve wireless service. CNN’s parent company, Wernermedia, is owned by AT&T.
Nashville International Airport said flights from Nashville were soon suspended by the Federal Aviation Administration due to telecommunications issues associated with the blast.
The FAA said the ground stop was lifted about an hour later. The pilots never lost contact with air traffic control, the agency said in a statement.
The FAA website shows that a ground stop was issued due to the ZME frequency outage.
ZME is an FAA air traffic control facility in Memphis that is responsible for controlling aircraft in an area at higher altitudes.
Flight service at Nashville International Airport continues to be “influenced by telecommunications issues,” a tweet from the airport said at 3:30 p.m.
Some flight corridors have been re-installed while others remain closed, the tweet said.
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