JACKSON, Miss., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- While the latest weather forecasts
predict Hurricane Gustav may hit the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coast early
next week, Cellular South already has mobilized its network and employees to
ensure they are ready for any emergency situation.
"We are taking this situation very seriously," said Jim Richmond, director
of Corporate Communications for Cellular South. "During a crisis, the ability
to communicate is even more critical for individuals, families and emergency
response personnel. We are committed to providing our customers with the best
network coverage possible in every situation."
The wireless carrier's 1,000-member workforce along with the company's
network resources are now on "high alert." Cellular South has also activated
its Emergency Response Plan, which guides the deployment of company resources
and personnel during a crisis.
"Our preparations are designed to give customers maximum reliability from
their wireless phones at the time of greatest need," Richmond said. "In 2005,
we saw in a very personal way that people depend on their wireless phones as a
lifeline to the outside world, not just for a day, but for weeks and even
months at a time."
With most other carriers' wireless networks destroyed or seriously
impaired by the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina three years ago, Cellular South
played a vital communications role in the days following the storm, carrying
over 2.6 million calls a day only a few days after the storm hit and logging a
470 percent increase in the number of minutes on its network used by other
carriers' customers.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Cellular South bolstered
its network even further on the Mississippi Gulf Coast by investing $8 million
in equipment and system upgrades to help improve wireless communications in
the event of another storm.
Most significantly, Cellular South invested $2.5 million in microwave
technology to help circumvent damaged or destroyed landline systems and ensure
wireless calls can be routed to their final destination.
"This microwave technology is critical to support communications during
natural disasters when landline systems are inoperable," Richmond said.
The company also invested $3 million to install more than 200 permanent
generators in cell sites so Cellular South's network and customers are not
affected by loss of power.
The company also invested $6 million for a switch in Hattiesburg to
further increase capacity for call volume and text messaging throughout South
Mississippi and has upgraded its network to deliver 3G high-speed wireless
data and Internet access service.
To help customers prepare for the Hurricane and its aftermath, the company
is launching a website with links and information on hurricane resources,
weather, traffic, gasoline prices, evacuation routes, emergency response
details and hotel information. The site can be accessed through the Internet
Cellular South also is activating its #STORM hotline or 1888-CSOUTH5 for
customer updates on storm-related wireless service and network capabilities,
store hours and openings for retail locations in affected areas and for other
disaster relief information.
"For many of our Mississippi customers, Cellular South was the first and
only means of communication available during and after Hurricane Katrina,"
Richmond said. "We want our customers to know that we stand ready to respond
to whatever circumstances come their way."
The company is coordinating its emergency response preparations with
local, state and federal agencies, including the Mississippi Emergency
Management Agency and the office of Gov. Haley Barbour.
About Cellular South
Cellular South is a privately-owned diversified mobile communications
company passionately committed to helping customers get the most out of their
wireless devices and services. The company accomplishes this goal by
providing the most reliable and advanced nationwide 3G wireless voice and data
network, offering a full range of industry-leading unlimited flat rate plans,
and through its online and in-store Discover Centers, which give customers
easy, simple and convenient tools, tips, advice and information to get the
most out of their mobile phone to meet all of their wireless lifestyle needs.
For more information, visit http://www.cellularsouth.com.
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