Preparing for the Unexpected: AT&T Disaster Recovery Exercise Simulates Network Disaster in Washington, D.C. Region

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- From damaging earthquakes to powerful hurricanes, the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has been recently reminded that unexpected threats of disaster can arise at any time. The results of a 2011 study from AT&T* indicate that a vast majority (89%) of local companies already have a business continuity plan in place, helping them protect operations and maintain communications when unforeseen natural or manmade disasters happen to strike.

Recognizing the importance of crisis preparation, AT&T is conducting a full-scale disaster recovery simulation – a Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) exercise – in National Harbor, Maryland, October 13-19. Held several times a year, these exercises simulate the loss of a network office due to disaster and are designed to test, refine and strengthen AT&T's business continuity and disaster recovery services in order to minimize network downtime.

"Now more than ever, communities need to be prepared for manmade and natural disasters, and have in place effective plans to respond," said J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Mid Atlantic. "Exercises like this help ensure AT&T is as prepared as possible in the event of disaster, and we're hopeful that businesses and organizations in the D.C. metro area continue to recognize the critical importance of ongoing investment in crisis preparation."

Business Continuity Study Key Findings

AT&T's 2011 Business Continuity Study found that businesses in the D.C. area are preparing for potential disasters and investing in additional technology, especially when compared to businesses in other regions within the United States:

• Two-thirds (66%) indicate their companies implement specific protective actions when the federal or state government issues an alert for an impending disaster.
• A majority (61%) already uses or is considering using cloud services to augment their business continuity/disaster recovery strategy.
• Most (79%) executives indicate that they have special arrangements for communicating with key executives in the event of a natural disaster.

For more information on the 2011 AT&T Business Continuity Study, including complete research results visit http://www.att.com/businesscontinuity-news.

AT&T NDR Program

This week's NDR exercise in National Harbor includes an extensive deployment of network recovery equipment. The exercise tests and refines the team's 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 National Harbor NDR exercise features 25 disaster recovery trailers and vehicles, including technology trailers, emergency communications vehicles and a variety of smaller utility and support trailers, as well as a search-and-rescue dog team demonstration. This exercise marks AT&T's sixth exercise in the greater Washington, D.C. area; the last D.C. exercise was held in July 2009.

AT&T has invested more than $600 million in its NDR program, which includes specially trained managers, engineers and technicians, as well as a fleet of more than 320 self-contained equipment trailers and support vehicles that house the same equipment and components as an AT&T data-routing or voice-switching center.

More information on AT&T's NDR program is available at AT&T Network Disaster Recovery.

*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 and one of the most honored companies in the world. 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, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, 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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SOURCE AT&T Inc.