Cingular Wireless Quickly Responds After Hurricane Hits the Gulf Coast

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Cingular Wireless Quickly Responds After Hurricane Hits the Gulf Coast
Network Operating at more than 93% in its Coverage Areas throughout the Gulf

MOBILE, Ala., July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Following Hurricane Dennis' impact
yesterday on the Gulf Coast bringing heavy winds and rain, the Cingular
Wireless network is certainly weathering the effects. Its network is already
operating at more than 93% in its coverage areas throughout the Gulf States,
which span Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Northwest area of Florida.
In addition, virtually all Cingular retail stores are open for business,
and the Cingular Customer Care centers in the area are operating business as
usual.
In the Pensacola market, cell sites affected by the storm are primarily
due to commercial power outages and T-1 connection disruptions.
The Cingular network is designed and built to withstand hurricane-force
winds. Cell sites are backed up by high-capacity batteries or emergency
generators, ensuring a secure source for power if needed since electrical
outages are prevalent during storms.
Late last night, Cingular dispatched more than 350 field technicians and
network personnel to support restoration efforts in any impacted areas. More
than 120 emergency generators have been distributed, many of them from the
company's rapid response staging areas located in Mobile and New Orleans.
"Wireless devices are a critical communications tool for staying in touch
with loved ones and colleagues, especially during emergency situations. We're
pleased with our network's performance and are working diligently to ensure
any impacted areas are restored as quickly as possible," said Joe Larussa,
vice president and general manager of Cingular Wireless-Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana and Northwest Florida. "Our extensive preparation before the storm
has enabled us to quickly and efficiently respond to the hardest hit areas."

Extensive Network Preparation Critical
Some of Cingular's network preparation measures included:
- Securing more than 400 generators for rapid deployment to cell sites
after the storm;
- Reserving more than 48,000 gallons of additional fuel;
- Conducting ongoing readiness drills to ensure network facilities and
personnel were ready-to-go at a moment's notice;
- Boosting staff at regional switching facilities 24/7 to support
restoration efforts;
- Initiating two rapid response staging areas, housing emergency
equipment for quick deployment to impacted areas;
- Establishing lines of communications with all wireline and power
companies to ensure quick coordination after the storm;
- Staging numerous COWs and COLTs (portable cell sites) throughout the
region to increase wireless coverage in affected areas;
- Coordinating additional field technicians and contractors from other
states to assist in critical areas; and,
- Boosting cell site capacity in anticipation of increased call volumes.

Phones Provided to Local and State Emergency Agencies
Cingular is also focused on providing support to those communities in
need. Cingular has already distributed more than 300 wireless phones to state
and local agencies including the Mobile Fire and Police Departments, City of
Mobile, United Way of Alabama as well as the local Red Cross for use during
the storm. The company also readied two mobile calling vans to provide free
calls to the public in hardest hit areas.