AT&T Recovery Exercise to Simulate Metro Detroit Network Disaster

DEARBORN, Mich., May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Communications is always cited as priority number one in the drama that unfolds when natural or manmade disaster strikes and puts lives, property, and business assets at risk. With that in mind, AT&T*, working with local officials and business leaders, is conducting a full-scale disaster recovery simulation – a Network Disaster Recovery Exercise – in the Metro Detroit area from May 6 to May 14 near The Dearborn Inn.

"The city of Dearborn and the greater Detroit area business community are committed to continued sustainable economic growth – something that demands reliable and effective networks of communication," said Robert Ficano, chief executive officer of Wayne County. "Today's exercise gives our businesses and local government operations greater security in knowing the network and their connectivity are a top priority when dealing with major storms, terrorism or other disasters."

AT&T's 2010 Business Continuity Study found that many local Detroit businesses are prepared for disasters and several are investing in additional technology. Eighty-six percent of Detroit companies have business continuity plans and 77 percent are planning to invest in new technologies this year.

Some additional local results from the study include:

• A majority of companies (55%) provide employees access to social networking tools, and 72 percent are concerned about the increasing use of this technology and its impact on security threats.
• Similarly, 73 percent are concerned about the increasing use of mobile networks and devices and their impact on security threats.
• A vast majority (80%) indicate they have special arrangements for communicating with key executives, while 81 percent have e-mail or text messaging capabilities to reach employees.
• Seven out of 10 (70%) Detroit businesses have systems in place that enable most employees to work from remote locations, and almost half (44%) have automated calling systems to reach employees by telephone or cell phone outside of work.

"In crises, communications are vital to help save lives by connecting emergency services and families to each other," said Jim Murray, President of AT&T Michigan. "While today's exercise shows the capability AT&T has get our network back online in case of a disaster, it pales in comparison to capabilities shown by our first responders. Not only do we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they make on a daily basis, but we also owe them our best in repairing our network to allow them to do their jobs in case of an emergency."  

The AT&T NDR exercise simulates the loss of network operations because of manmade or natural conditions. Last week, 22 semi-tractor trailers rolled into Dearborn, each with essential networking technology for creating a temporary central network office. A crew of more than 60 permanent and volunteer NDR team members will assemble and turn up the central network office, first using satellite communications and a satellite COLT (cell on light truck). The exercise tests and refines their speed and efficiency in restoring wired and wireline network operations in the event of an actual disaster. Essential to AT&T's own comprehensive business continuity plan, the Detroit NDR exercise will feature more than 25 disaster recovery trailers and vehicles, including emergency communications vehicles, and a variety of smaller utility and support trailers, as well as a search-and-rescue dog team demonstration.

"We live and work in a connected world, where a local manmade or natural disaster could have effects on productivity and progress at a global scale," said Mark Francis, Vice President – Global Network Operations Center, AT&T. "AT&T's NDR activities and team are vital to ensuring our wireline and wireless networks experience the minimal amount of downtime in the event of an emergency. It's our commitment to our customers' safety, their businesses' sustainability and continued innovation and possibility."

During the last 15 years, AT&T has invested more than $500 million in its NDR program, which includes specially trained managers, engineers and technicians from across the United States, as well as a fleet of more than 300 self-contained equipment trailers and support vehicles that house the same equipment and components as an AT&T data-routing or voice-switching center. In 2008, AT&T announced that its NDR organization had consolidated wireless, wired and backbone network recovery capabilities, enabling AT&T to bring an integrated approach to disaster recovery that helps ensure the flow of both wireless and wired communications during times of need.

More information on AT&T's NDR program is available at www.att.com/ndr.

For more information on Business Continuity Services that AT&T provides, go to http://www.business.att.com/enterprise/Family/business-continuity-enterprise/business-continuity-enterprise/.

*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 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T 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(SM) and AT&T | DIRECTV(SM) 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's Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.