Press Kits
Hurricane Information
Updated 9/19/2008 - Sprint Continues Service Restoration Efforts Following Ike and Supports Impacted Customers
As residents along the Texas coast continue to recover from the recent impact from Hurricane Ike, Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) networks continue to be operational following Hurricane Ike as Sprint technicians work to restore service in the impacted areas by moving in portable generators and Cell Sites on Wheels (COWs) to ensure customers have wireless service.
Sprint’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) received dozens of requests from first responders, local government and businesses in the impacted area. Sprint ERT personnel are supporting agencies with additional Nextel Direct Connect® handsets with Direct Connect® and Direct Talksm capability. Direct Talksm enabled handsets can communicate off-network via push-to-talk with other Direct Talksm-capable handsets completely independent of any wireless network.
Additionally, the Sprint Foundation and Sprint employees have contributed Approximately $480,000 for Disaster Relief Effortsfrom donated wireless phones and pre-paid calling cards, to cash contributions, Sprint Nextel, its foundation and employees have contributed cash and in-kind donations worth approximately $480,000 for the individuals impacted by Hurricane Ike. Contributions to the American Red Cross (ARC) include:
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A $100,000 grant to the ARC Disaster Relief Fund from the Sprint Foundation;
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15,000 domestic calling cards worth over $220,000 to the National and Houston chapter of the ARC;
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An estimated $30,000 in employee contributions and company matching gifts; and
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250 wireless phones worth over $130,000 from Sprint’s ERT.
Sprint customers also can text message the word “give” to short code 24357 to make a $5 donation to the American Red Cross. The donation will be billed on the customer's wireless phone bill. Standard text-messaging rates will apply.
Sprint Nextel Offers Hurricane Tips for Consumers
Tips for consumers to learn what to do before, during, and after a storm. (PDF document)
Follow Sprint's storm-related updates via 'Sprintnews' Twitter feed - http://twitter.com/sprintnews
News Releases
9/19/2008 - Sprint Continues Service Restoration Efforts Following Ike and Supports Impacted Customers
9/11/2008 - Sprint Prepared for Hurricane Ike in Texas
9/5/2008 - Sprint Continues Restoration Efforts Following Gustav
9/3/2008 - Sprint Actively Preparing for Hanna's Impact
8/29/2008 - Sprint is prepared for Gustav's impact
8/18/2008 - Sprint is ready for Fay
5/21/08 - Alabama Counts on Sprint as Hurricane Season 2008 Begins
5/13/08 - Florida Counts on Sprint as Hurricane Season 2008 Begins
5/13/08 - Texas Counts on Sprint as Hurricane Season 2008 Begins
5/13/08 - Louisiana Counts on Sprint as Hurricane Season 2008 Begins
5/13/08 - Georgia Counts on Sprint as Hurricane Season 2008 Begins
5/13/08 - North Carolina Counts on Sprint as Hurricane Season 2008 Begins
5/13/08 - South Carolina Counts on Sprint as Hurricane Season 2008 Begins
5/13/08 - Mississippi Counts on Sprint as Hurricane Season 2008 Begins
Frequently Asked Questions
Sprint Hurricane tips - What to do before and after the storm
Fact Sheets
How Nextel Direct Connect works (pdf)
Related video
Sprint's Emergency Response Team
How Sprint responded after Hurricane Katrina (2005)
Contact Information
Contact Information
For Consumers:
Wireless subscribers impacted by hurricanes should contact eCare with concerns.
Long distance subscribers: Dial 800-877-4646 or access eCare
For Reporters and Media:
Note: Sprint media officials have no access to data for questions about customer accounts.
Crystal Davis
crystal.davis@sprint.com
Kristin Wallace
678-358-1190
kristin.c.wallace@sprint.com
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Mark Sudduth, Hurricane Expert
For the past several years, Mark Sudduth has used Sprint wireless technology to help study hurricanes. During a hurricane, Sudduth and his team use a wireless high speed Sprint PCS Connection Card to monitor, collect and share hurricane data, photographs and video instantaneously with the public, government agencies, corporate clients and broadcasters through his website www.hurricanetrack.com.
It is important to both Sprint and Sudduth to make sure the public is prepared and educated about hurricanes. During the beginning of Hurricane Season, Sudduth makes community appearances on behalf of Sprint at schools, museums and local businesses to demonstrate how he can safely track a hurricane during landfall and the stress the importance of being prepared.