Recent releases
Jan. 29, 2009
Phone and power services impacted by ice storm, phones on for many
TDS Telecom is implementing emergency response procedures for outages in Salem and Lewisport, Ky.
Landline phone service from TDS is operational in most areas. Commercial power is reported out in most locations and is expected to remain out for several days. Cellular phone service is also reported to be out of service.
TDS phone service is available via landlines in areas where phone lines are intact. TDS provides emergency power to the phone switch in central offices and remote locations to keep the phone service available. Customers may experience intermittent outages as generators and other power supplies are renewed.
• Currently all TDS Central Offices are operational (by either battery or generator).
• Long Distance calling in Salem, Ky. is intermittent, local calling including 911 is operational.
• TDS Technical Response Team members are evaluating damage to lines and poles. Local crews are being assisted by contractors and TDS technicians from other states, as needed.
• In case of damage to aerial lines, phone services will be restored by crews as soon as conditions safely warrant. TDS crews will follow the power company crews to replace lines on newly constructed poles.
• You do not need to contact TDS to report a wide spread outage. However, if you have a critical medical need to have service please notify TDS at 1-888-225-5837, as well as local officials.
• Do not touch, move, or try to hook up any phone lines.
• Long distance phone service to and from all locations may be intermittent, including 800 numbers.
• If you need emergency medical assistance and you do not have phone service, please get to the nearest police/fire station for assistance.
TDS Telecom reminds its customer’s traditional landlines will work when phone lines are still intact and only a power outage is occurring.
TDS powers the landline network remotely during emergencies with large batteries and remote generators to provide emergency phone services. Corded, landlines will work when the power is out, so make sure you use a corded phone for emergencies. (The ones that plug directly into the wall phone jack, no power needed.)
TDS also recommends unplugging power and phone lines from computer equipment and modems to prevent power surges during restorations from harming your computer, even if you have a surge protector.
TDS officials are monitoring the storm closely and working alongside local government officials to monitor phone service conditions as the storm persists.
“Safety is our top priority. We want to keep phone lines working for emergencies and keep our crews and customers safe,” states Drew Petersen, TDS Communications Director. “Please do not touch or drive over fallen lines on your property, or in the street. And do not attempt to remove ice from the lines.”
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TDS Telecommunications Corp. markets communications services to business and residential customers in 30 states through its brands TDS Telecom® and TDS Metrocom®. With nearly 1.2 million access line equivalents in service, TDS Telecommunications Corp. connects customers to phone, broadband, and digital television service in hundreds of rural, suburban, and small metropolitan communities. TDS Telecommunications Corp. employs approximately 2,700 people and is headquartered in Madison, Wis. Visit www.tdstelecom.com and www.tdsbusiness.com for more information.
TDS Telecommunications Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems™ (NYSE: TDS, TDS.S) headquartered in Chicago. A Fortune 500® company, Telephone and Data Systems’ strategic business units, TDS Telecommunications Corp. and United States Cellular (NYSE: USM) operate primarily by providing wireless, local telephone and broadband services. As of June 2008, the TDS™ family of companies employs approximately 11,800 people and serves approximately 7.4 million customers in 36 states. Visit www.teldta.com for more information.
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