• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

SBC Mobilizes to Assist Hurricane Katrina Victims Relocated to Houston

Posted on: Thursday, 1 September 2005, 12:00 CDT

SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) has begun deploying an extensive network of communications services at the Houston Astrodome to provide vital communications resources to victims of Hurricane Katrina as they are relocated from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

The company will make available to hurricane victims up to 1,000 telephones with free local and long distance calling, free wireless service in conjunction with Cingular (R) Wireless, and SBC Yahoo! DSL service and computers for high-speed Internet access. Additionally, the company plans to install Wi-Fi hot spots for use by public service personnel and media for wireless Internet access.

"We want to make sure that hurricane victims can communicate with their loved ones, no matter where they are," said Edward E. Whitacre, chairman and CEO of SBC Communications. "We're taking steps to make the necessary communications channels available."

SBC stands ready to assist with recovery efforts in areas stricken by Hurricane Katrina. The company is maintaining regular contact with government agencies and telecommunications providers in areas impacted by the hurricane.

The company stays prepared year-round for emergencies and maintains exhaustive response plans, conducts simulation drills, and updates equipment and personnel plans to handle the various communication-related needs which arise during a crisis.

SBC companies also maintain a regionwide Emergency Operations Center in Houston to manage communications and work with emergency management officials, as needed.

It is expected that most of the communications services deployed at the Astrodome will be in place by the time the New Orleans relocation effort is completed.

About SBC

SBC Communications Inc. is a Fortune 50 company whose subsidiaries, operating under the SBC brand, provide a full range of voice, data, networking, e-business, directory publishing and advertising, and related services to businesses, consumers and other telecommunications providers. SBC holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which serves 51.6 million wireless customers. SBC companies provide high-speed DSL Internet access lines to more American consumers than any other provider and are among the nation's leading providers of Internet services. SBC companies also offer satellite TV service. Additional information about SBC and SBC products and services is available at www.sbc.com.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category