T-Mobile announced Wednesday that its wireless service was “at or near normal” in all of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Service is now available in much of the New Orleans downtown corridor — including the French Quarter, Convention Center and the Superdome — as well as additional service at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

As of Wednesday, T-Mobile said it has significant wireless coverage across Jefferson, Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes, and North Shore Communities. More specifically, T-Mobile now has wireless service in Abita Springs, Algiers, Almedia, Avondale, Boutte, Bridge City, Covington, Denham, Springs, Destrehan, downtown New Orleans, Elmwood, Greenville, Hammond, Harahan, Kenner, Laplace, Mandeville, Marrero, Metairie, New Sarpy, Ponchatoula, River Ridge, Slidell, St. Rose, Storyville and Westwego.

T-Mobile expects heavy call volumes and some call congestion to continue in the Gulf Coast area due to high demand for service by T-Mobile customers and those roaming from other GSM carriers. To ensure as many people have wireless access as possible, T-Mobile asks all GSM users to keep non-emergency calls to a minimum, and consider sending text messages or instant messages to connect with family or loved ones.