From emergency backup plans and offering tips, to shipping additional phones and offering free services, the wireless industry is bracing for Hurricane Frances.

Sprint says its backup crews are on standby and backup generators are in place at several locations along the Eastern seaboard in case power outages result from the storm. The carrier also says it is monitoring the storm and will have local damage assessment teams and network engineers to inspect its networks after the storm passes.

TracFone Wireless, Nextel Communications and Cingular Wireless also are prepared for the storm.

The wireless service providers are all offering tips to wireless phone users who might be in the path of the hurricane. Some of their tips include:

• Have a communications plan in place.
• Program emergency numbers in wireless phones.
• Keep backup batteries charged.
• In case of an evacuation, tape your wireless phone number to your door in case emergency personnel need to reach you.
• Seal extra phones and accessories in a bag to avoid water damage.
• Text message instead of placing voice calls.

T-Mobile USA is offering its Wi-Fi HotSpot service to hurricane victims and nearly 300 locations in Florida. The free service will be available through Monday, Sept. 6.

In anticipation of the storm, WCC has supplied hundreds of Iridium satellite phones to Florida utilities, county governments, large retail corporations, insurance companies and other Florida-based businesses.