Sprint Invests $134 Million to Prepare its Florida Networks for 2011 Hurricane Season

MIAMI - During Hurricane Preparedness Week and the days leading up to the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane season, Sprint and the Sprint Emergency Response Team are ensuring customers of their dedicated preparedness for the 12 to 18 tropical storm systems the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently projected for the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane season.

In 2010 and the first quarter of 2011, Sprint invested close to $134 million to enhance and prepare its wireless networks in the state of Florida, including more than $40 million in Miami-West Palm Beach region, approximately $1.4 million in the Panhandle; more than $15.1 million in Tampa; $6 million in the state’s Gulf Coast region; and close to $40 million in Orlando.

To date, Sprint has installed more than 30 hydrogen fuel cell generators at cell site locations across Florida as a much cleaner alternative to diesel-powered backup generators. These generators are activated when service from the local electric utility is disrupted during severe weather or other natural disasters; and provide extended hours of backup power before needing refueling versus traditional generators.