AT&T Ready for Tropical Storm Ida

AT&T has invested more than $500 million in its Network Disaster Response (NDR) organization. This includes more than 600 technology and equipment trailers that can be quickly deployed anywhere worldwide to respond to a disaster situation, such as a severe hurricane.

With Ida moving quickly from hurricane to tropical storm -- and soon a tropical depression -- the AT&T response equipment may not be necessary, but it is a comfort to many who have been through some debilitating storms to know that AT&T is fully prepared for this type of disaster.

AT&T has recently opened of a third NDR equipment warehouse in the Southeast. With the threat of heavy rains and flooding in the near future for Georgia, AT&T is now prepared in the event that the state of Georgia experiences some backlash in Ida's trail.

AT&T continues to make sure that there is the installation of more back-up and permanent generators at critical cell sites and switching facilities in the areas hardest hit by hurricanes and natural disasters.

NDR is responsible for the rapid recovery of service at AT&T network sites following catastrophic events.

AT&T's Network Disaster Recovery plan has three primary goals:

*To route non-involved telecommunications traffic around an affected area.
*To give the affected area communications access to the rest of the world.
*To recover communications service to a normal condition as quickly as possible through restoration and repair.

According to the AT&T website, these goals are accomplished with the use of AT&T uses automated tools, such as Real Time Network Routing (RTNR), FASTAR® (FAST Automatic Restoration) and FASTAR® II, and the highly-skilled NDR Team with its patented mobile disaster recovery equipment. The key to successful recovery is teamwork and technology.

Maximizing Service During and After a Hurricane/Natural Disaster:

During an emergency, more 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 wireless text/short messaging service (SMS). During an emergency situation, text messages will often go through quicker than voice calls because they require less network resources. All of AT&T’s wireless devices are text messaging capable.

Also, if you have a wireless data device, you can use its messaging capabilities to communicate. Depending on the call 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.

Hurricane Ida may have weakened, but AT&T's Network Disaster Response organization will certainly give consumers and business owners a little peace of mind in the event of any future hurricanes or natural disasters.

View a video that highlights AT&T's efforts in disaster recovery.

Read more tips from AT&T: http://www.att.com/vitalconnections

Cheryl Phillips
HULIQ.com

sources: ATT Vital Connections, CNN