Sprint to Give Free Phones and Service to Katrina Victims
Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:45 am
Sprint Nextel today announced the details of its participation in the Federal Communications Commission's Katrina Lifeline Program. Through the program, eligible customers in the 92 Gulf Coast counties and parishes affected by Hurricane Katrina will be able to apply for a free wireless phone and service. Existing Sprint Nextel customers affected by the hurricane who qualify for the program will receive a credit of 500 minutes for four months from the date of activation.
"Sprint Nextel is pleased to be participating in the FCC's Lifeline program for Hurricane Katrina victims," said Sal Todaro, area vice president for Sprint. "It is important to Sprint Nextel to help our customers stay connected with their friends and family as they continue rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina."
Since September, Sprint Nextel, its foundation and employees have contributed cash and in-kind donations for hurricane relief worth more than $10 million for the individuals and communities across the Gulf Coast region, as well as for evacuees around the country.
To find out more about Sprint Nextel's Katrina Lifeline program or to apply, eligible customers must call 1-866-705-6925. Customers will be mailed a certification of eligibility form to complete and mail back with a copy of their FEMA letter by March 1, 2006. In addition, information is available at www.sprint.com/hurricaneinfo . The program is subject to certain limitations and conditions including the availability of phones and the company's ability to provide service in all areas.
Consumers eligible for the Sprint Katrina Lifeline program will have the following options:
- New customers will receive a Motorola i415 wireless phone and $60 prepaid service credit from BOOST Mobile, the prepaid wireless brand of the company.
- Existing Sprint Nextel customers will receive 500 free minutes per month for four months from the date of activation of the Katrina Lifeline Program. Existing BOOST Mobile customers will receive additional prepaid calling cards worth $130.
To qualify for the program, consumers must apply by March 1, 2006 and meet the following criteria established by the FCC:
- Participants must be able to certify prior residency in a County or Parish that has been designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as eligible for individual disaster assistance related to Hurricane Katrina.
- Participants must be able to document their eligibility by providing a copy of a letter from FEMA demonstrating that they have been approved for disaster housing assistance.
- The program allows for only one wireless phone per household.
- Participants will be required to sign a certification of eligibility form.
Residents of the following counties and parishes have been designated by FEMA as eligible for individual disaster assistance:
Louisiana - Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Lincoln, Livingston, Orleans, Pointe Coupee, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.
