Most cell carriers with BlackBerry data and voice plans now say they will either cut rates or be flexible on invoice payment for subscribers in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Areas such as New Orleans, as shown in this photo by photographer Smiley Pool of the Associated Press.

Here's a rundown:

Cingular Wireless, which sells the BlackBerry 7100g and BlackBerry 7290 will give its New Orleans and Biloxi-area custmers a one-time 50 percent credit on their monthly fee. These customers will not be charged for roaming, extra minutes, long-distance or text messaging from late August up thru September 30.

Cingular subscribers in metro Mobile, Ala., Jackson, Miss, Baton Rouge nd Lafayette, La., will get a one-time 25 percent monthly fee credit, as well as unspecified discounts on roaming and text.

Verizon Wireless, which sells the BlackBerry 7250, says it will work on a case-by-case basis with customers in the region, and as Cingular is doing -temporarily will stop collections and disconnects due to non-pay.

SprintNextel, which sells the BlackBerry 7750 and BlackBerry 7520, says it will also suspend collection and termination actions in the region. The company will give a month of free wireless service to subscribers in hard-hit areas and would also offer free long-distance, roaming, text messaging and extra minutes to customers in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina.