I would think the relief teams in a situation like that would use satellite, but I really have no idea, maybe someone else knows the facts. Seems like the power companies feel they would be spread too thin if they had to get power back to hundreds of towers, along with the normal priority customers. Also from what I've read in this and other articles is they really do try to get to them as fast possible. I can understand the point of relief teams, but most of those are just Joe blow Users. I don't know the answer, but thought it was an interesting article.

Retired phone dude