Wireless Priority Services (WPS)

Wireless Priority Service (WPS) is the wireless complement to the wireline Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS).  During times of emergencies, wireless service providers can experience congestion in their networks.  Such congestion can severely curtail your ability to make calls with your cell phone.  To facilitate the completion of ciritcal calls during these high usage events, WPS enables you to access the next available wireless channel before non-subscribers.  It is a priority access queuing system for wireless networks.  The following carriers currently have this capability: AT&T (formerly Cingular Wireless), Edge Wireless, SouthernLINC, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. Sprint PCS and Cellular South will begin offering WPS in 4th Quarter, 2007.

To add WPS to your wireless phone, simply complete the GETS/WPS request form below and forward to Tonita Allers at tallers@csbs.org or fax to Tonita at (202) 296-1928.

More information regarding the WPS program can be found at http://wps.ncs.gov.