Cingular and Verizon have both been working hard to bring communication services back to areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. In the early stages after Katrina hit, cell phone coverage was non-existent. Blackberry service worked in spots, but cell service just wasn't there. Today there is service in some areas and they're making progress.
Cingular service in Mobile, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi. is fully restored, and the majority of coverage capacity has been reestablished in and around Biloxi, Mississippi.
Verizon is making progress in all of the states hit by Katrina. "Our technicians are preparing to be escorted into the city of New Orleans to repair cell towers and other equipment that knocked out operations when Hurricane Katrina and the resulting flooding cut off much of the communications to the city," said Verizon Wireless South Area President Jack Plating, who is leading the company’s recovery efforts. " In areas where communication has not returned to normal, Verizon Wireless is using text messaging to help reunite many families that have been separated as they were evacuated from New Orleans and other areas. We’ve sent hundreds of text messages from the Verizon Wireless Emergency Communication Centers in Houston after people could not reach their family in the 504 area code. We received both reply text messages and phone calls – one of the text replies simply said ‘Thank God. And thank you.’"
Cingular service in Mobile, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi. is fully restored, and the majority of coverage capacity has been reestablished in and around Biloxi, Mississippi.
Verizon is making progress in all of the states hit by Katrina. "Our technicians are preparing to be escorted into the city of New Orleans to repair cell towers and other equipment that knocked out operations when Hurricane Katrina and the resulting flooding cut off much of the communications to the city," said Verizon Wireless South Area President Jack Plating, who is leading the company’s recovery efforts. " In areas where communication has not returned to normal, Verizon Wireless is using text messaging to help reunite many families that have been separated as they were evacuated from New Orleans and other areas. We’ve sent hundreds of text messages from the Verizon Wireless Emergency Communication Centers in Houston after people could not reach their family in the 504 area code. We received both reply text messages and phone calls – one of the text replies simply said ‘Thank God. And thank you.’"