CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s a building you’re not supposed to know about -- because they need to protect it -- and trust us -- you want it protected.
It’s what’s called a super switch facility, and it’s the only way you get any information if you are a Verizon wireless customer.
When Hurricane Florence slammed into Wrightsville beach last September, sending so much water to nearby areas that there was no way in or out of Wilmington for days, phone service was still up and running because Verizon’s emergency operations center was running out of a building in Charlotte.
"This center is critical in those situations because it allows those in the field to focus on the storm. We can be behind the scenes," said Brian Roe, senior manager.
In fact, the building can manage operations for the entire southern region if need be. They have multiple layers of backups in place like fuel, food, generators, and batteries.
"The backup to the backup is never good enough for Verizon," Roe said.
There is so much power, and so much data, we had to agree not to reveal the building's location.
"That is part of security -- making sure the bat cave isn’t revealed," said Roe.
There's a lot is on the line.
"If I want my text messages to come through, this building needs to be operational?" NBC Charlotte's Michelle Boudin asked.
"Must be operational, yes," said Roe.
Roe said they’re always working to be ready if the disaster is man-made, like a terrorist attack.
"It's an invisible, constant threat," Roe said.
Verizon wouldn't confirm if or when 5G is coming to charlotte, but if it does, the operation will run out of the would be run out of the super switch facility.