In July 2025, Dare County issued an update outlining its ongoing efforts to improve communications reliability and redundancy on Hatteras Island.

On July 28, 2026, the Brightspeed-owned fiber optic cable serving Hatteras Island was damaged once again, temporarily disrupting internet service and leaving many communications systems, including the ability to place wireless 911 calls, inoperable or degraded for several hours. 

The outage underscored an issue Dare County officials have been working for years to address: Hatteras Island's dependence on a single fiber connection and the need for reliable backup communications when that connection is damaged. 

While a permanent redundant fiber connection remains a long-term goal, a significant improvement to emergency communications is now in place. 

FirstNet Adds Satellite Backup Capability 

Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson has continued to pursue satellite-based backup alternatives with wireless providers. Last year, those efforts gained traction with FirstNet, Built with AT&T, the nation's public safety broadband network. 

After Pearson brought the recurring public safety impacts experienced by the Hatteras and Ocracoke island communities to the attention of FirstNet President Scott Agnew, Agnew and his team visited Dare County to discuss potential solutions. 

Those discussions led the FirstNet team to design, install and test low-Earth-orbit satellite backhaul capabilities at FirstNet sites serving Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. 

When the July 28, 2026 outage occurred, the FirstNet site in Avon was in the final stages of testing. The site automatically transitioned to satellite backhaul and remained operational. On July 31, 2026, FirstNet confirmed that the new capability was operational at all its sites serving Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. 

The technology automatically transitions FirstNet sites to a low-Earth-orbit satellite connection when the fiber connection is lost. This allows sites in Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras Village and Ocracoke to remain connected during fiber outages, supporting public safety communications and wireless access to 911. 

Because wireless 911 calls can be routed through any available carrier network, the added connectivity helps preserve access to 911 even for callers who are not AT&T or FirstNet customers. 

“This is a significant improvement for public safety on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands,” said Pearson. “For years, Dare County has been working with our telecommunications partners to find ways to protect 911 access when the fiber connection is cut or otherwise becomes unavailable. We are extremely grateful to Scott Agnew and the FirstNet team for listening to our concerns and taking action to provide this important backup capability.” 

With this backup capability now in place, Dare County's mobile cell towers will no longer need to be deployed solely to restore 911 access during fiber outages; however, the towers will remain available for deployment when needed, including to support communications following storms and other emergencies. 

Brightspeed Provides Update on Long-Term Fiber Redundancy 

At the August 3, 2026, Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting, Brightspeed representatives, who had been asked by the board to attend, provided information about the July 28, 2026 outage and an update on the company's efforts to improve network resiliency for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. 

Brightspeed Governmental Affairs Director Steve Brewer reported that the company has restored the microwave connection between Ocracoke and the mainland that was damaged during Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Brightspeed had previously committed during a June 5, 2023, Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting to reactivating the system as a backup for 911 calls.

Brewer explained, however, that the restored microwave system does not carry all 911 calls. It provides backup connectivity for calls made by Brightspeed customers using traditional landlines. 

Brewer reiterated that the long-term solution is construction of a redundant fiber connection beneath the Pamlico Sound. Funding has not yet been secured for the multimillion-dollar project, but the 2026 State Budget includes a new potential funding source. 

Section 40.7 authorizes the North Carolina Department of Information Technology to use up to $15 million for grants to close fiber loops and create redundancy in areas that include barrier islands, with special consideration available for projects that have a significant impact on public safety and emergency communications. 

Brewer said Brightspeed intends to pursue funding once application details become available. 

He also introduced Heather Hallmark and Mike Roberts as Brightspeed's regional and local points of contact for customer service and communication. 

Dare County's Continued Efforts 

Dare County does not own the fiber line and does not have regulatory authority to require private telecommunications companies to build or upgrade their networks. County officials have nevertheless continued to work with telecommunications providers, state officials and other partners to advocate for solutions that improve reliability and restore communications redundancy. 

Dare County believes those sustained efforts helped bring greater attention to the communications challenges facing Hatteras and Ocracoke islands and contributed to the inclusion of the new fiber redundancy grant opportunity in the 2026 State Budget. 

As mentioned, Dare County has maintained six mobile cell towers that can be deployed during fiber outages. Located at key volunteer fire and rescue departments on Hatteras Island, the towers have provided temporary, localized access to 911 across much of the island's populated areas during previous outages. 

Their successful deployment has depended on dedicated volunteers who respond on short notice, often setting aside work and family obligations to put the equipment into service. 

What Are the Next Steps? 

Although the FirstNet satellite backup represents a major improvement in emergency communications resiliency, it does not eliminate the need for a  permanent redundant fiber connection or address all internet and wireless service disruptions that can occur when the existing fiber line is damaged. 

Dare County officials will continue advocating for construction of a redundant fiber loop beneath the Pamlico Sound and for additional improvements to communications infrastructure serving Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. 

Residents, businesses and visitors are also encouraged to communicate directly with the internet and wireless providers they pay for service, as well as the appropriate state regulatory agencies, about the need for reliable and redundant communications infrastructure. 

“People who live on Hatteras Island, operate businesses here and visit the Outer Banks deserve reliable communications service,” said Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard. “The new FirstNet backup capability is an important step forward for public safety, but our work is not finished. Dare County will continue pushing for the long-term infrastructure improvements that Hatteras Island needs and keeping the community informed as progress is made.”