Cellular South Wireless Network Weathers Onslaught of Severe Storms
Some Cell Sites On Back Up Generator Power, But Still Handling Customer Voice and Data Traffic
Ridgeland, MS - (March 26, 2009) – Cellular South's wireless communications network sustained minimal damage as a result of the severe storms and at least one tornado that swept through central Mississippi late Wednesday and early today.
Most of the Mississippi-based company's 500 cell sites in central Mississippi were operating without any problems, although five are on back up generators and five are experiencing call completion problems caused by heavy rains and winds that knocked out landline telecommunications facilities, according to Trey Howard, director of Network Operations for Cellular South.
The company is working with other telecommunications providers to get service restored at the seven sites – two in southern Madison County, two in Vicksburg and one in Rankin County near Brandon – as soon as possible today. "Although we have a handful of sites affected by the storm, the impact on our customers is very minimal because of the way we engineer our network for optimal service and redundancy," he said.
Cellular South service in one of the hardest hit areas – the Simpson County town of Magee – was not affected by an early morning tornado that touched down on the north side of the town, which is located 40 miles southeast of Jackson. "Our customers continue to be able to place and receive calls on their mobile phones without interruption in this area," he said.
A company retail store located at 1667 Simpson Highway 49 in Magee opened for business as usual today, but was on a back up generator due to the loss of commercial power.
The company has dispatched technicians in hard-hit areas to monitor cell sites until commercial power and landline telecommunications services are restored, Howard said. "Our customers depend on their cell phones and a reliable network to communicate with loved ones during and after a storm like this one," he said. "We are determined to live up to their trust and to be the network they can count on in any situation."
In response to a request from the American Red Cross, the company has loaned phones to the emergency relief organization to support an emergency shelter and begin relief operations in Magee and other impacted areas.
About Cellular South
Cellular South is a privately-owned diversified mobile communications company passionately committed to helping customers get the most out of their wireless devices and services. The company accomplishes this goal by providing the most reliable and advanced 3G nationwide wireless voice and data network, offering industry-leading family and unlimited flat rate voice, text and mobile web plans, and through its online and in-store Discover Centers, which give customers easy, simple and convenient tools, tips, advice and information to get the most out of their mobile phone. For more information, visit www.cellularsouth.com.
