Each day, more than 30,000 new customers sign up for wireless service. About two-thirds of these new customers use wireless service for safety, security, and personal convenience. With the continuing increase in wireless phone use, Cellular South advises subscribers to use the safety and etiquette guidelines in the link below.
Ten Safe and Courteous Wireless Tips
- Safe driving is your first responsibility. Always buckle up; keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road and, when available, use a hands-free device.
- Be a wireless Samaritan. More than 140,000 calls a day are made to 9-1-1 and other emergency numbers by wireless phone users. Dialing 9-1-1 is a free call for wireless phone subscribers.
- Be cognizant of other pedestrians and potential safety hazards. If necessary, suspend calls in heavy traffic or hazardous weather conditions.
- Position your phone within easy reach and be familiar with the operation of your phone, such as using the speed-dial feature to program frequently called numbers and the redial feature to return calls.
- Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations that may divert your attention from the road.
- When dialing manually without the speed-dialing feature, dial only when stopped.
- Never take notes while driving. Pull off the road to a safe spot to jot something down.
- Let your wireless network's voice mail pick up your calls when it's inconvenient or unsafe to answer the car phone.
- Be courteous and considerate of those around you who may view your conversation as an intrusion. Speak in a quiet or normal conversation tone.
- Ring tones may be inappropriate in various public places. Change your ring tone to vibrate or silent while in meetings, theatres, churches, courtrooms, etc.
Cell Phone Etiquette Tips from Cellular South
- Certain settings – churches, funerals, movie theatres, classrooms, stage plays – are inappropriate for receiving or placing a call. Please put your phone on silent or vibrate to receive calls. If the call is an emergency, quietly leave the area to handle the situation.
- If you are in a meeting, alert companions ahead of time if you are expecting a call that cannot be delayed. When your incoming call arrives, excuse yourself. Otherwise, the people you are with should take precedence over calls.
- When in public, set your phone to a low basic ring rather than a loud or possibly annoying melody.
- Avoid animated or loud conversations in a public setting. Keep your voice to a low, conversational tone.
- When approaching a service counter (grocery store, bank, retail shop, restaurant, etc.) it is courteous to end your call before you are greeted by a store employee. You should provide the service representatives your full attention.
- Private conversations should not be held within 10 to 15 feet of other individuals. Be cognizant of where you stand or sit while making a personal call. Also avoid extended calls in a public place.
- Be considerate and avoid using cell phones in a small, confined environment, such as elevators, public restrooms or waiting areas/rooms in doctors’ and other professional offices.
Safety
- Do not operate your phone near electrical blasting caps or in the vicinity of construction work where radio transmission is prohibited.
- Disconnect your phone before jumping your car battery. Severe damage to your equipment may occur unless the phone is disconnected. (This is done by removing the fuse located near the car battery.)
Security
- If your vehicle or your phone is stolen, immediately report it to the police and Cellular South Customer Care toll free at 1-877-CSOUTH1. Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report and report the case number to Cellular South. From the time of notification, Cellular South will automatically reject any calls made from your phone.
- Always lock your phone when not in use. See your phone's equipment manual on how to lock your phone.
FraudForce
- FraudForce is a system designed to protect Cellular South customers from fraudulent wireless telephone usage. Cellular South customers roaming in high fraud areas may be prompted for specific information or forwarded to a Cellular South representative for verification of identity.
