Alltel Stands Ready as 2006 Hurricane Season Begins; Tips Will Help Customers Prepare for Emergencies
June 01 2006 - 4:30PM
Business Wire
With the 2006 hurricane season officially beginning today, Alltel
has taken extensive steps to prepare for any weather-related
emergency that might threaten communications services in coastal
states. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has
predicted a "very active" hurricane season in the North Atlantic,
with four to six major hurricanes. Typically, NOAA said, the North
Atlantic sees two major hurricanes each season. "Alltel works
year-round to plan for hurricane season to make sure our customers
stay connected to friends and family during storms," said Chris
Smith, executive vice president of network services for Alltel.
"Alltel has made significant investments in its wireless network to
improve coverage and reliability, and after last year's hurricanes,
we were one of the first carriers to restore service to the Gulf
Coast states." Alltel has for years maintained a formal plan for
preparing for hurricanes and then responds with manpower,
generators and equipment once a storm hits. The company routinely
opens a remote Hurricane Command Center to manage resources and
lead network recovery efforts during disasters. This year, Alltel
already has: -- Secured agreements with vendors to provide fuel to
keep trucks and generators running. -- Placed generators on standby
in hurricane-prone areas, and tested on-site backup generators for
readiness in case of a power outage. In addition, the company has
purchased more than 100 new generators. -- Prepared to provide
lodging, RVs, food and water for technicians working in storm-hit
areas. Alltel also works to help customers in hard-hit areas.
Retail stores remain open as long as possible and reopen as soon as
conditions permit to allow customers access to phone chargers and
batteries. Alltel opens mobile retail stores in particularly
hard-hit areas. Last year, Alltel retail stores across the country
provided customers displaced by the hurricanes with phones to make
free calls to friends and family. The company also provided free
nationwide roaming and long-distance to customers in New Orleans
and along the Gulf Coast. Customers can prepare for hurricane
season by: -- Verifying that wireless phones are working properly.
-- Programming wireless phones with emergency contact numbers. --
Making sure wireless phone batteries remain fully charged. --
Keeping additional charged batteries on hand along with car
chargers. Phones, batteries and chargers should be kept in dry,
easily accessible areas. -- Have a non-cordless telephone available
at home in the event of a power outage. In addition, in the event a
hurricane occurs, customers should consider: -- Using Text
Messaging instead of trying to place a call. -- Limiting
non-emergency calls, whenever possible. -- Waiting 10-15 seconds
before dialing again if a call fails to go through. -- Using their
camera phones to record damage for insurance purposes. Alltel is a
customer-focused communications company with more than 15 million
customers in 37 states and nearly $10 billion in annual revenues.
Alltel, NYSE: AT www.alltel.com
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