Cellular South Manages Increased Call Volumes Caused By Hurricane Gustav

[TheNasaWildman]

Wireless Carrier Delivers 46 Million Minutes of Use On Network In Storm-Impacted Areas
Ridgeland, MS - (September 2, 2008) – – Cellular South's wireless communications network experienced a surge in traffic in the last 72 hours as residents and emergency responders prepared for Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall Monday about 70 miles southwest of New Orleans.

A summary of Cellular South's network performance, its coordination with local and state emergency response agencies and storm resources is provided below:



NETWORK
KEY MESSAGE: Dramatic increase in call volumes from Gulf Coast customers without significant problems
Logged 46 million minutes of use by customers in the storm-impacted areas over the last three days, which is a dramatic increase in normal call volume
Almost 99% of the company’s network is operational in the impacted areas with very minor customer impact
Due to infrastructure preparation and investments, the network continues to handle high volumes of voice calls and data usage from hurricane and storm-impacted areas without significant issues
The microwave ring built along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Hattiesburg areas after Hurricane Katrina helped deliver calls to their final destination in areas where traditional land-line service was impacted by the storm
Network and engineering crews with additional back up power sources and mobile units were dispatched immediately to the storm-impacted areas


RESPONSE
KEY MESSAGE: Supported state and local emergency response efforts and donated phones, service and food
Company representatives assigned to the Mississippi Emergency Operations Center continued to respond to requests for wireless communications assistance from local and state government and emergency response agencies, including the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the office of Gov. Haley Barbour
Cellular South is the official wireless communications carrier for all state agencies and employees in Mississippi
Company has provided hundreds of mobile phones and service to local and state emergency response agencies and the American Red Cross
Cellular South is donating $10,000 worth of food and supplies to the Salvation Army to help storm-impacted residents who were evacuated to shelters


RESOURCES
KEY MESSAGE: Created website with timely information and resources to help customers and storm victims
Cellular South has established a website with timely information and resources to help customers and the general public deal with Hurricane Gustav and its aftermath. The site, located at Hurricane Gustav Cellular South Information Center , provides details on emergency shelters, weather updates, traffic conditions, power outages, gasoline availability and hotel accommodations for storm victims. For updates, call #STORM (78676) OR 1CSOUTH5 (1-888-276-8845)
Cellular South has opened all retail store locations today in storm-impacted areas with normal business hours. These locations also are offering the public free phone calls and access to cell phone charging stations.