ATLANTA, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With an "average" hurricane season predicted for 2011, expected to include 16 named storms in the Atlantic Ocean, AT&T* today announced that it is prepared to respond quickly if a storm strikes.  To help customers prepare too, AT&T is providing important communication tips for use before, during and after a storm.

"The Southeast has been tested by inclement weather and hurricanes in the past and AT&T has always been quick to respond and restore service to impacted communities," said Steve Sitton, regional president – Southeast, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Services. "Our customers rely on us to be prepared and keep them connected during emergencies, and we are committed to fulfilling those needs."

In its arsenal of Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) capabilities, AT&T has the industry's largest and most advanced disaster response capability with unmatched resources to help ensure the flow of both wireless and wired communications during times of need. AT&T has invested more than $600 million in its NDR function since it was formed. AT&T's NDR function includes more than 320 technology and equipment trailers that can be quickly distributed to respond to disaster situations such as severe hurricanes.

AT&T has continued to enhance network redundancy in hurricane-prone areas, which includes the installation of more back-up and permanent generators at critical cell sites and switching facilities; location of critical equipment to less vulnerable areas; upgrade of electronics in many locations; replacement of copper wiring with fiber optic cable; elevation of switches critical to network operations above expected flood levels; and protection of physical facilities against flooding.

"AT&T continues to make significant investments in its NDR program in order to help ensure quick recovery of vital communications services for our customers in the wake of a natural or man-made disaster, such as a hurricane," said Mark Francis, Vice President – Global Network Operations Center, AT&T. "We understand how important it is for our customers to communicate with loved ones in times of emergency, and we're committed to providing them with reliable communications services."

A critical element of AT&T's efforts to maximize network reliability is its ability to swiftly respond when disaster strikes. AT&T's Global Network Operations Center, a state-of-the-art command center, monitors and maintains AT&T's global networks 24/7, and its NDR organization conducts readiness drills and disaster simulations throughout the year to ensure that networks are prepared and personnel are ready to respond in a moment's notice. The NDR team works closely with local AT&T network personnel and Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) to restore and maintain service until permanent repairs can be made.

AT&T's standard pre-storm network preparations include:

• Adding capacity to the wireless network to accommodate increased call volume.
• Testing the high-capacity backup batteries located at every cell site.
• Distributing extended battery life and portable generators and maintaining existing fixed generators.
• Topping off generators with fuel at cell sites and central and field-level switching facilities.
• Using natural gas in some of the permanent generators to eliminate the need to refuel.
• Staging generators in safe locations for their immediate deployment once a storm has passed.

Response equipment readied in the wake of a storm include:

• Mobile cell sites and mobile command centers
• Emergency communications vehicles
• A self-sufficient base camp, complete with sleeping tents, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry facilities, on-site nurse and more than 10,000 meals ready to eat (MREs)
• Hazmat equipment and supplies
• Technology and support trailers to provide infrastructure support and mobile heating ventilation and air conditioning
• Internal and external resources for initial assessment and recovery efforts

AT&T offers the following recommendations for consumers and small business owners in preparation for this year's hurricane season.

Consumer Tips:

• Be sure you have a "hurricane phone." It's a good idea to have a wireless phone on hand and at least one corded (landline) telephone that is not dependent on electricity in case of a power outage. Cordless telephones usually have receivers that are electronically charged, so they won't work if you lose your power.
• Have a family communication plan in place. Designate someone out of the area as a central contact, and make certain that all family members know who to contact if they become separated. Most important, practice your emergency plan in advance.
• Program all of your emergency contact numbers and e-mail addresses into your mobile phone. Numbers should include the police department, fire station and hospital, as well as your family members.
• Keep your wireless phone batteries charged at all times. Have an alternative plan to recharge your battery in case of a power outage, such as charging your wireless device by using your car charger or having extra mobile phone batteries or disposable mobile phone batteries on hand.
• Keep your wireless phone dry. The biggest threat to your device during a hurricane is water, so keep your equipment safe from the elements by storing it in a baggie or some other type of protective covering.
• Forward your home number to your wireless number in the event of an evacuation. Because call forwarding is based out of the telephone central office, you will get incoming calls from your landline phone even if your local telephone service is disrupted at your home. In the unlikely event that the central office is not operational, services such as Voicemail, Call Forwarding, Remote Access call forwarding and call forwarding busy line/don't answer may be useful.
• Track the storm and access weather information on your wireless device. Many homes lose power during severe weather. If you have a wireless device that provides access to the Internet, you can watch weather reports through AT&T U-verse Live TV or keep updated with local radar and severe weather alerts through My-Cast® Weather, if you subscribe to those services.
• Camera phones provide assistance. If you have a camera phone, take, store and send photos — even video clips — of damaged property to your insurance company from your device.
• Take advantage of location-based mapping technology.  Services such as AT&T Navigator and AT&T FamilyMap can help you seek evacuation routes or avoid traffic congestion from downed trees or power lines, as well as track a family member's wireless device in case you get separated.

Small Business Tips:

• Set up a call-forwarding service to a predetermined backup location. Set up a single or multiple hotline number(s) for employees, employees' families, customers and partners, as appropriate, to call so that all parties know about the business situation and emergency plan. For this to be most effective, maintain an updated contact list, including mobile and home phone numbers and e-mail addresses, for all employees.
• Protect hardware/software/data records/employee records, etc. Routinely back up these files to an off-site location. Use a generator for supplying backup power to vital computer hardware and other mission-critical equipment. Prearrange the replacement of damaged hardware with vendors to ensure quick business recovery.
• Outline detailed plans for evacuation and shelter-in-place plans. Practice these plans (employee training, etc.). Establish a backup location for your business and meeting place for all employees.
• Assemble a crisis-management team and coordinate efforts with neighboring businesses and building management. Be aware that disasters affecting your suppliers also affect your business. Outline a plan for supply chain continuity for business essentials.
• Consider a back-up cellular network. Services like AT&T Remote Mobility Zone, allows organizations to protect their critical communications by installing small cell sites at the businesses' locations.  If a disaster disables primary communications networks, the back-up cellular network can help keep your company connected.

Maximizing Service During and After a Hurricane:

• During an emergency, many people are trying to use their phones at the same time. The increased calling volume may create network congestion, leading to "fast busy" signals on your wireless phone or a slow dial tone on your landline phone. If this happens, hang up, wait several seconds and then try the call again. This allows your original call data to clear the network before you try again.
• Try text messaging. During an emergency situation, text messages may go through more quickly than voice calls because they require fewer network resources. All of AT&T's wireless devices are text messaging capable. Depending on your text or data plan, additional charges may apply.
• Keep non-emergency calls to a minimum, and limit your calls to the most important ones. If there is severe weather, chances are many people will be attempting to place calls to loved ones, friends and business associates.

Additional information and tips for disaster preparedness can be found at www.att.com/vitalconnections.

SOURCE: Klotzback, Philip, and William Gray. "Extended Range Forecast for Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and Landfall Strike Probability for 2011." Colorado State University. Web. April 2011

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

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