AT&T Offers Free Phones and Phone Calls to Gustav Evacuees
More than 2,000 GoPhone Devices With $15 in Air Time Available to Residents from Mandatory Evacuation Areas
Dallas, Texas, September 2, 2008
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced the availability of at least 2,000 GoPhone devices with $15 in air time at no charge to residents who have been ordered to evacuate their homes due to Hurricane Gustav. The phones will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last to residents who live in any area that government has declared a mandatory evacuation area. The company is also providing free phone calls for hurricane victims at all open company-owned retail locations across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and portions of northwest Florida including Pensacola, Fort Walton and Destin.
The phones will be available at all company-owned AT&T retail locations in the cities of Shreveport, Bossier City and Monroe in Louisiana; in the cities of Jackson, Tupelo, Meridian, McComb, Gulfport, D'Iberville and Hattiesburg in Mississippi; in the cities of Mobile, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hunstville/Decatur and Montgomery/Prattville in Alabama; and in Pensacola, Florida. These cities are all seeing large numbers of incoming evacuees from southern Louisiana. AT&T is rushing extra shipments of GoPhones to stores in these locations, and they are expected to be available as early as Wednesday afternoon.
"In times of crisis, the ability to connect with family and friends is a necessity and, at the same time, comforting," said Joe Larussa, vice president and general manager for AT&T's wireless operations in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. "Hopefully, this offer will allow many of those forced from their homes by Hurricane Gustav to take care of critical needs or simply reconnect with loved ones."
Residents eligible for the offer must be 16 years or older and show a valid photo identification, including ZIP code from an area declared a mandatory evacuation area. The offer is good for one phone for each person.
Larussa encourages wireless phone users to try text messaging when possible instead of making voice calls. During an emergency situation, text messages will often go through quicker than voice calls because they require less network resources. All of AT&T's wireless devices are text messaging capable.
Maximizing Service During and After a Hurricane:
- During an emergency, more people are trying to use their phones at the same time. The increased calling volume may create network congestion, leading to "fast busy" signals on your wireless phone or a slow dial tone on your landline phone. If this happens, hang up, wait several seconds and then try the call again. This allows your original call data to clear the network before you try again.
- Try wireless text/short messaging service (SMS). During an emergency situation, text messages will often go through quicker than voice calls because they require less network resources. All of AT&T's wireless devices are text messaging capable. Also, if you have a wireless data device such as an Apple iPhone or a BlackBerry® smartphone, you can use its messaging capabilities to communicate. Depending on the call plan, additional charges may apply.
- Keep non-emergency calls to a minimum, and limit your calls to the most important ones. If there is severe weather, chances are many people will be attempting to place calls to loved ones, friends and business associates.
Additional information and tips for disaster preparedness can be found at www.att.com/vitalconnections.
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About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com.
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