Cellphone Cos Beefing Up Systems For Hurricane Season

JACKSON, Miss. (AP)--Mobile phone companies are working on bolstering their systems to try to prevent a repeat of the havoc Hurricane Katrina wreaked on communication services last year.

A Verizon Communications spokesman said communication is "key for relief organizations (and) law enforcement and to help customers keep in touch" with their families.

Cellular South said it's investing more than $7 million in equipment and system upgrades to circumvent potential damage to landlines. A top executive said the company is investing $78 million more to add new cell sites to its network across Mississippi.

Local residents said they had spotty service after Katrina hit, but some phones worked. One local resident said "there was zero communications," adding that he couldn't alert his family and friends that he'd survived Katrina until he got out of state.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires "

Posted to the site on 2nd June 2006