Telecom Firms Offer Discounts In Katrina's Hardest-Hit Areas

The loss of lines and revenue from telephone and cable wires submerged by Hurricane Katrina will pose long-term challenges for consumers charged for telecommunications services in the hardest-hit areas -- as well as for companies that rely on a government-administered fund designed to deliver phone service to all Americans. After initial repair efforts, the number of BellSouth lines lost in the hurricane damage stands at 636,000, down from 1.75 million in the immediate aftermath. BellSouth spokesman Joe Chandler said the company is offering a one-month credit for customers in the hardest-hit areas, including voice mail and call-forwarding. After that month, customers must call to reactivate service on their phones, cancel service, suspend it or transfer it to another number. Those who suspend service will pay half the normal rate, and features such as voice mail will be turned off, according to the company. Customers who transfer service to another line in the nine-state BellSouth region will experience no transfer changes to the new line or back to the old line. Cellular carriers have been recovering and restoring service as water is drained from cellular towers and electricity is restored. Cingular Wireless spokesman Mark Segal said the company suspended bill collection activity for the hardest-hit areas.
[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: Drew Clark]