Wireless provider's customers can dial #IVAN for service info
MOBILE, Ala. - September 14, 2004 – Cellular South announces plans to assist customers and all other residents of areas affected by Hurricane Ivan. Cellular South's Customer Care Center will be open 24 hours per day for the next few days to support customers and fellow employees in the company's service area who may be affected by the storm. In addition, Cellular South's Emergency Task Force will work around the clock to monitor and maintain wireless service.
Cellular South encourages wireless users to limit phone use as much as possible so that emergency officials will have clear access for communication. Individuals may call the American Red Cross at 866-GET-INFO to check on families and friends affected by the storm.
Free Wireless Service at Portable Phone Kiosks
Cellular South plans to provide Coastal residents hardest hit by Hurricane Ivan with access to portable phone kiosks placed in central locations for making free calls to family and friends. This option allows those who may not have their own wireless service to communicate to family and friends if their home phones are out of service.
"It's critical to be able to contact emergency personnel and loved ones after a natural disaster, and a loss of home phone service makes that very difficult," said Noel Coward, Cellular South area manager and the company's Emergency Task Force coordinator for Coastal Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. "Cellular South's portable phone kiosks will provide free local and long distance wireless service to any residents of areas affected by Hurricane Ivan."
Cellular South portable wireless phone kiosks will be available until landline phone service is restored. Locations will be announced as soon as possible after the storm and will be decided based on accessibility to the public and proximity to those most in need.
Customer Information Line - #IVAN
The company also has established a dedicated number its customers can call to receive updated information. Dialing #IVAN, a free call from their Cellular South phone, or calling toll free 1-888-790-7211 will connect customers to an automated line providing information about the company's wireless service and network capabilities, the store hours for retail locations in affected areas and other disaster relief information as available before, during and after the storm.
In addition to the #IVAN number and portable phone kiosks, Cellular South also is providing community support in the form of donated phones and service to the American Red Cross and other disaster relief and emergency management agencies.
About Cellular South
The company is one of the largest privately held wireless providers in the U.S. and is licensed to provide wireless service - to a total population of more than five million people - on its network stretching from the Memphis Metropolitan Area, throughout all of Mississippi, along Coastal Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Destin/Seaside. Cellular South offers nationwide coverage on a variety of rate plans including unlimited calling and free incoming calls. For more information, contact Cellular South at 1-877-CSOUTH1 or visit cellularsouth.com.
Contact:
Tanya Rankin, (601) 974-7134, trankin@cellularsouth.com
