ATLANTA --As residents along the Georgia coast, first responders and businesses gear up for the 2010 hurricane season, Sprint (NYSE:S) has prepared its networks and staff so that critical communications are available to its customers before, during and after a storm. In 2009, Sprint invested more than $57 million in network expansion and enhancements throughout Georgia.
Sprint's network and business continuity teams will also be pre-staged in hurricane-prone states with hundreds of portable generators, Satellite Cell on Light Trucks (SatCOLTS) and Cell Sites on Wheels (COWs) to readily restore wireless service quickly for customers and disaster response efforts.
"Keeping local residents, first responders and business connected during crisis situations has been and always will be Sprint's top priority," said Jeff Bennett, southeast regional vice president for Sprint. "With our reliable wireless networks, immediate resource deployment and launch of Sprint 4G service in Atlanta, we're confident of the service we will provide this hurricane season and beyond."
Sprint 4G in Georgia
During 2009, Sprint launched the Sprint 4G service in Atlanta and Milledgeville, Ga. With speeds that are up to 10 times faster1 than 3G Internet service, Sprint 4G mobile Internet service is currently available in 32 markets and a number of devices, such as the OverdriveTM 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot and Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U301 by Franklin.
Additionally, as part of its ongoing work with Mark Sudduth of HurricaneTrack.com, Sprint has supplied his team with Sprint 3G and 4G mobile broadband devices to give them fast and reliable mobile Internet connectivity during their online and video reporting this hurricane season.
Sprint ERT ready to assist Georgia first responders
Throughout each year, Sprint ERT, trains for the worst-case scenario and provides businesses and first responders with immediate access to mobile communications during hurricanes, other emergency situations and field training exercises, and maintains a 24-hour hotline, 365 days a year, to rapidly address client needs.
Since its creation in 2002, Sprint ERT has conducted more than 3,800 deployments and provided emergency wireless support for more than 850 events, including the recent mining accident in Montcoal, W. Va., the 2009 shooting massacre in Fort Hood, Texas, the 56th Presidential Inauguration in 2009 and Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in 2008.
Preparedness Tips
Sprint offers the following consumer tips to prepare for a hurricane, wildfire or other natural disaster:
* Keep your wireless phone and backup batteries charged, but be aware that an interruption of wireline and commercial power could affect wireless calls.
* If possible, get extra batteries and charge them.
* In times of commercial power outages, a car adapter for your wireless phone should enable you to recharge the battery.
* Keep phones and necessary accessories in a sealed plastic bag to avoid water damage.
* Load family and emergency numbers into your wireless phone.
* Use your Sprint camera phone to take digital pictures or video of your property and valuables before the storm hits. Upload the images to your personal pictures inbox on www.sprint.com so you have "before" pictures in the event of any storm damage.
* Wireless networks sometimes experience heavy traffic during emergency events, so remember to use Nextel Direct Connect(R) or send a text message.
For more information about Sprint Nextel hurricane preparation efforts, or to learn what you can do to prepare for a major storm, visit: www.sprint.com/hurricaneinformation.
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