Sprint to Provide Free Calling Stations to Area Residents

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Sprint (NYSE: FON — News) technicians are making process restoring wireless and landline service for customers along the Gulf Coast and in Alabama affected by Hurricane Ivan. Sprint estimates 46,000 local access lines in the Fort Walton Beach, Fla., district are without service. Service levels may continue to fluctuate until power systems stabilize and all repairs have occurred.

While Sprint technicians are working to restore efforts as quickly as possible, for safety concerns, access to some areas is being restricted by local authorities.

«Sprint appreciates our customers’ understanding as we work to restore service in the areas affected by Ivan,» said John Quigley, director — Network Operations, Sprint. «We are working with emergency management officials and local power companies to prioritize service restoration. Our technicians are working around the clock to make sure our customers can connect with their friends and family as soon as is humanly possible.»

Customers are encouraged to contact Sprint customer service to report outages. Customers can call the following numbers to report outages:

-- 1–800–788–3600 or visit [ >>> ] to report local service
problems
-- 1–800–786–6272 for business customers
-- 1–800–737–3404 for wireless customers in Mobile, Ala.; Montgomery Ala.;
Panama City, Fla.; Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Houma,
La.
-- 1–888–211–4727 for wireless customers in all other impacted areas

Sprint wireless customers impacted by Hurricane Ivan can expect some billing relief. Sprint wireless customers impacted will receive a one-time Monthly Recurring Charge discount of 10 percent if they call or visit a retail location. Sprint also will credit out-of-network roaming charges customers may face as a result of Sprint wireless network issues related to the hurricane.

Sprint Stores

Sprint retail locations are open along the Gulf Coast in Mississippi; Louisiana; Panama City, Fla.; and Birmingham, Ala. Once power is restored and repairs are completed in Pensacola, Fla.; Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; Mobile, Ala.; and Montgomery, Ala., retail stores will reopen to serve customers and offer free calls to those without phone service.

Community Service

Once local authorities allow Sprint technicians into Ft. Walton Beach, pay phone banks will be moved to the area so customers can make free calls to loved ones. Also, the Sprint Mobile Showroom stocked with wireless phones, batteries and accessories will be arriving in Mobile to provide customers another outlet where they can contact friends and family and receive customer service.

In addition, Sprint has donated hundreds of wireless phones to the American Red Cross which are ready to be mobilized for disaster relief communications. Prepaid long-distance phone cards are provided to storm shelter and safety personnel for distribution as appropriate.

Caution to Customers Cleaning Up

Sprint asks customers who are cleaning up their homes and neighborhoods to avoid piling refuse and debris for garbage pickup near telephone terminals located curbside on neighborhood streets. This will help avoid front-end loaders and other large machinery from potentially damaging Sprint equipment during pick-up service.

About Sprint

Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26 million customers in over 100 countries. With more than $26 billion in annual revenues in 2003, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network technologies, including the United States’ first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint provides local communications services in 39 states and the District of Columbia and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. For more information, visit [ >>> ] .