Bell South is expanding its wireless broadband service for business customers in areas hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Tuesday marked the launch of the service in the Mississippi cities of Biloxi and Gulfport where many small- and medium-sized businesses suffered damage that precludes them from getting back on land lines.

"Small businesses and homeowners are still rebuilding," said John McCullouch, head of BellSouth's Mississippi operations. "Our wireless broadband service will provide customers with a viable and economical solution for high-speed Internet access."

The service provides downstream speeds up to 1.5 Megabits per second without the need for phone lines.

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