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COMMUNICATION SERVICES
How can I get public safety and news information about the wildfires?
In addition to free over-the-air broadcast channels, XM Satellite Radio is broadcasting news updates and public safety information, including traffic, weather, and evacuation news regarding the California wildfires on its 24-hour radio channel Emergency Alert (XM channel 247). Anyone who has an XM receiver (even if you are not an XM subscriber) can tune in to this station. So, for example, if you have an XM radio in your car (even if you do not pay to subscribe to XM), you can tune in to these updates.
How can I have my calls forwarded if I have evacuated?
Several telephone companies are offering free call forwarding and other services to customers who have evacuated due to the wildfires.
Verizon customers are eligible to add call-forwarding to their account at no charge. This will permit calls to be automatically forwarded to another location where you might be staying, or to your wireless number. Verizon will not charge for the one-time set-up fee or monthly charges for this call-forwarding, although customer will be responsible for any toll charges on forwarded calls (as well as wireless airtime charges). Residential customers who have been affected by the wildfires and who wish to add this call-forwarding service should call Verizon at (800) 483-1000. Business customers should instead call (800) 483-2000.
AT&T California customers displaced by the wildfires are also eligible for several free services to stay in touch with family and friends. Specifically, AT&T California is providing certain voice mail and call-forwarding features (including remote forwarding and remote access) free of charge for 30 days to displaced residential and small business customers. This will permit customers to redirect their phone calls to a temporary number or a wireless phone. For customers who need a local service line installed at a temporary or new location, AT&T will waive the installation fee. Residential customers should call AT&T at (877) 722-6787, and small business customers should call (800) 750-2355 for information regarding these free services.
Is there anywhere I can make free calls or check my email if I have evacuated?
For those displaced from their homes, T-Mobile is offering complementary Wi-Fi Internet service through October 31, 2007 at nearly 1,200 T-Mobile HotSpot locations in Southern California, including airports, Starbucks coffee shops, FedEx Kinko’s, Borders Books & Music, Hyatt Hotels, Red Roof Inns, and select T-Mobile retail stores.
AT&T is also offering free Wi-Fi service at almost 600 hot spot locations in Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange and Ventura counties beginning on October 27, 2007. A full listing of AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots in California is available at www.attwifi.com.
Verizon is equipping several shelters and evacuation sites for free phone calls and/or Internet access for evacuees. These include:
- Providing emergency telephone lines to American Red Cross shelters to allow evacuees to stay in touch with family and friends at no charge;
- Providing a free calling center at the National Orange Show Fairgrounds in San Bernardino where evacuees can make local and long distance calls; and
- Deploying employees with wireless phones and laptops for evacuees to make calls, check email and charge their mobile devices at Qualcomm Stadium, El Toro High School, the Orange Show Fairgrounds, and Del Mar Racetrack relief centers.
AT&T has made 20,000 free GoPhones available to San Diego County residents who were ordered to evacuate. The phones are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are available at all AT&T-owned retail stores and local community assistance centers in Fallbrook, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo and Rancho San Diego. The phones contain $10 worth of air time. Residents must be 16 years of age or older and show valid photo identification including a ZIP code indicating a mandatory evacuation area. Phones are limited to one per person.