T-Mobile, AT&T; team up to provide coverage to Sandy-affected areas

AT&T; and T-Mobile are joining forces to help their customers who have been affected by super storm Sandy by allowing them to use either networks without charging roaming fees.

The two companies announced Wednesday that calls coming from customers in New York and New Jersey will be carried by whichever of the two networks is working in the affected area.

Both companies use GSM and UMTS networks, which means their customers’ phones will work with either carrier.

A spokeswoman for T-Mobile said the two companies have not set a date for when the partnership will conclude.

Additionally, both companies have set up systems that allow their customers to donate money to relief efforts simply by texting a number.

AT&T; customers can text REDCROSS to the number 90999 to donate to the American Red Cross, and text STORM to the number 80888 to give to the Salvation Army. Customers can also donate to the American Humane Society by texting HUMANE to 80888.

Each text donates $10 to the organization. Each customer can donate up to five times. They will be charged for their donation on their next billing cycle unless they are pre-paid customers -- they’ll have the funds deducted from their account balance.

T-Mobile customers can also give money to the American Red Cross. They can text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 or they can text DONATE to 90999 to give $25. The donation will show up on the next billing cycle.

ALSO:

Siri, in China, will no longer direct you to prostitutes, escorts

Apple stock price falls sharply; iPad mini reviews begin appearing

A techy Halloween: Tetris pumpkin and five other pumpkin hacks