AT&T Prepared for Hurricane Ike in Florida

In preparation for Hurricane Ike, the company is identifying areas for the staging of equipment for post-Ike response, testing high-capacity backup batteries and topping off fuel for generators positioned at cell sites and switching centers.

The company has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to create and maintain its Network Disaster Recovery capabilities that include an extensive fleet of mobile command centers, mobile cell sites, emergency equipment and personnel resources standing by should it be needed.

A critical element of AT&T's efforts to maximize network reliability is the company's ability to swiftly respond when disaster strikes. This is made possible by AT&T's pre-season and pre-storm preparation which includes:

    -- Ongoing readiness drills
    -- Refueling generators positioned at cell sites and switching centers
    -- Testing high-capacity backup batteries
    -- Adding capacity to the wireless network
    -- Deploying additional generators. AT&T has more than 4,500 permanent and
       portable generators in the Southeast. Cell sites in hurricane prone
       areas are equipped with these generators and can run for up to 36 hours
       during commercial power outages.
    -- Staging generators and additional emergency response equipment in safe
       locations for their immediate deployment once the storm has passed

AT&T is committed to providing reliable communications before, during and after a storm, and delivering the highest levels of service quality for customers under all circumstances. Millions of residential and business customers depend on AT&T for critical voice, data and video communications, as well as entertainment services.

WithFlorida residents preparing for Hurricane Ike, AT&T is providing important communications tips for residents and small businesses to use before, during and after a storm.

    Consumer Tips:
    -- Have a family communications plan in place. Designate someone out of
       the area as a central contact, and make certain that all family members
       know whom to contact if they become separated.
    -- 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 electrically
       charged, so they won't work if you lose your power.
    -- Program 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 tropical storm or 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 voice mail, 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 MobiTV(R) or AT&T Mobile TV or keep updated with local
       radar and severe weather alerts through My-Cast(R) Weather, if you
       subscribe to those services.
    -- 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, such as AT&T
       Navigator, available on some wireless devices, to seek evacuation
       routes or to avoid traffic congestion from downed trees or power lines.


    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.


    Maximizing Service During and After a Hurricane:
    -- 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 such as an Apple iPhone or a BlackBerry(R) smartphone, 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.

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

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 inthe United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

(C) 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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