C Spire, the company that provides the city’s wireless service, is deploying additional capacity to its mobile communications network this week to help handle the anticipated increase in demand for voice and data cell service.
The city had requested the additional service – which will include increased capacity at area cell towers and the deployment of a cell on wheels (COW) – because of this weekend’s Spring Break event, which is expected to attract as many as 125,000 to Biloxi from Friday through Sunday.
“Our wireless unit is gearing up for lots of usage later this week and weekend, but we are confident that the advance steps we’ve taken will help minimize any problems for visitors and first responders,” said Keith Paglusch, chief network officer for C Spire.
C Spire is providing the service at no cost to the city and no additional cost to users. The COW will be positioned at Edgewater Mall, near the public safety command post.
“We have an outstanding relationship with C Spire,” Biloxi Police Chief John Miller said. “The company works to help minimize the impacts from major events and programs where cell and data usage may be an issue.”
Both the city and the state use C Spire as their wireless carriers, and with Spring Break the city is unveiling B-Alert, a text messaging system to help communicate with local residents and visitors. In the past 10 days, nearly 2,500 people have texted SPBK to 888777 to receive real-time Spring Break traffic advisories and related information.
C Spire, a diversified telecommunications and technology services company headquartered in Ridgeland, operates the nation’s sixth largest wireless communications unit and is the largest privately held wireless provider in the United States.
See Spring Break Q&A and video
