Storm hampers long-distance, cell services...

[steve2470]

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=3779666

UNDATED Hurricane Katrina isn't making it easy to keep in touch with people throughout the region it hit today.
Making calls into and out of the Gulf Coast has been a losing proposition much of the day, as the storm knocked out key telecommunications hubs.Sprint Nextel says its long-distance switch in New Orleans failed after the storm hit, meaning no long distance call could be placed into or out of the area. Sprint's cell phone service was also disrupted.A-T-and-T can't get long-distance calls out through the area. Cingular Wireless also reported problems throughout the Gulf Coast.BellSouth and Verizon Wireless didn't return calls for comment. Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.