Sprint Joins Competitors In Offering Free Calls To Philippines

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Sprint is waiving and crediting fees for phone calls and text messages made by its U.S. customers to the Philippines in the wake of a Typhoon Haiyan.

• Latest Updates On Typhoon Haiyan
• CBS News Coverage – Typhoon Haiyan
• Photo Gallery: Typhoon Devastates Philippines

The wireless company joins competitors AT&T and Verizon in offering free service so that customers can contact family, friends and emergency personnel in the island nation.

Sprint Corp. said Wednesday that it is eliminating fees for calls made between Nov. 8 and Dec. 7.

The company based in Overland Park, Kan., also said that Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile USA text messages sent as part of seven mobile-donation campaigns to help victims during that time will not be charged standard text-messaging fees.

Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the eastern Philippines on Friday, killing thousands.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)