Sprint Nextel today is marshalling its forces along the Gulf Coast to restore service in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In addition to hundreds of engineers and technicians poised to move into the area once it is safe, almost two dozen specialty vehicles are being assembled to coordinate the recovery effort and restore communications services to the devastated communities.

Sprint Nextel's Enterprise Incident Management Team, the group which oversees disasters such as hurricanes, will be deploying a Mobile Command Center with full network and Information Technology capabilities to coordinate Sprint Nextel's massive recovery effort.

Sprint Nextel's Emergency Response Team (ERT) is deploying two large RVs plus several other support vehicles, including five SatCOLTS, or satellite cells on light trucks, to aid with restoration of government and emergency services. The ERT will come equipped with 3,000 Nextel Walkie Talkie handsets for those emergency services customers and organizations.

Plus, Sprint's Government Sales group will be arriving with eight more RVs to assist government customers with their restoration needs.

"Obviously, we must wait until it is safe to move into the area, but once it is safe to do so, our customers can count on us being there for them," said Sal Todaro, Sprint Nextel area vice president of the Southeast including Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. "There will be many power and other issues to deal with and we want to reassure our customers that we will put forth an effort second to none in recovering from this devastating storm."

Power, Flooding, Big Concerns

Power loss and flooding of facilities offer all companies big challenges, said Todaro. "Our equipment needs power to work, and while many sites have backup generators or batteries, some of those sites may be flooded. Also, there are issues where other carriers to whom we connect might be out of service. It is a complex issue, but we have the people and assets in place to respond as quickly as humanly possible."

Wireline, Wireless Services Affected

Sprint Nextel reports that wireline and wireless services into and out of the area have been impacted. A long-distance switch located below sea level reported flooding and had to be powered down, affecting long-distance calls into and out of the area. Meanwhile, those wireless sites on battery backup will have to await deployed assets of generators and personnel to recharge batteries in order to turn the sites back on. Safety issues make it more difficult to get to some sites to effect repairs.

While the storm's impact in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast is apparent, some of Sprint Nextel's local customers in the Florida Panhandle also have been impacted. Much of Sprint Nextel's long distance service is typically directed through New Orleans, thus customers in the Florida Panhandle may find it difficult to place long distance calls, send data or use the Internet. Sprint Nextel's technicians are working diligently to find alternative routes for that communications traffic.

Community Relations Outreach

Sprint Nextel also has committed to support the American Red Cross in its largest hurricane relief operation in its history by providing significant financial support via donations from the Sprint Nextel Foundation, the Sprint Nextel corporation and an employee matching program, as well as, considerable in kind giving of several hundred wireless phones and service to enable critical communication in the coming weeks and months.

Sprint Nextel stores will open once it is safe. Customers without service will be able to stop by those stores to place essential wireless calls. In addition, the company will be setting up Community Support Tents, providing food, water, ice, replacement batteries and service and repair assistance to the general public in affected areas.

Government Support

Sprint Nextel representatives are working closely with federal agencies and State Emergency Operations Centers in Louisiana and Mississippi to determine priority services that require restoration so necessary emergency personnel can effectively communicate. By working directly with these organizations, the restoration effort will be dramatically improved.

Sprint Nextel's Emergency Response Team (ERT) is available nationally 24/7 and provides communications capabilities and technical expertise to city, state and federal emergency workers, as well as utilities and other necessary infrastructure organizations. Public Safety officials interested in requesting ERT assistance should call the Nextel Public Safety Call Center at (888) 639-0020 or 1-254-295-2220 for GETS users. Operators are available 24/7.