With an "average" 2009 hurricane season predicted including 12 named storms in the Atlantic Ocean, of which six are expected to become hurricanes, 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 communications tips for use before, during and after a storm.

"The communications services we offer play an important role in helping keep our customers connected during emergencies in a variety of ways including voice communications, Internet, video applications, Advanced TV, and text messaging," said Steve Sitton, regional president-Southeast, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Services. "The Southeast has been tested by hurricane seasons in the past and we've demonstrated our ability to respond and restore service while lending support to those impacted in the communities we serve."

In its arsenal of Network Disaster Response (NDR) capabilities, AT&T has the industry's largest and most advanced disaster response organization with unmatched resources to help ensure the flow of both wireless and wired communications during times of need. AT&T has invested more than $500 million in its NDR function, which includes more than 150 technology and equipment trailers that can be quickly distributed anywhere in the U.S. or worldwide to respond to a disaster situation such as a severe hurricane. AT&T invested $145 million in recovery and restoration efforts related to the 2008 hurricanes that include the opening of a third NDR equipment warehouse in the Southeast.

AT&T has continued to enhance network redundancy in hurricane-prone areas that include 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 has built the most technologically advanced wireless and wired networks in the country," said Gary Ludgood, senior vice president-global network field operations, AT&T. "We've invested billions of dollars to toughen our networks and our national disaster recovery response organization so that communications are maintained and restored as quickly as possible."

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, the state-of-the-art command center, monitors and maintains its global networks 24/7 and conducts readiness drills and disaster simulations throughout the year to ensure that the networks 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 (EOC's) 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:

• 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), plus more
• Hazmat equipment and supplies
• Equipment-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:

• 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. Most important, practice your emergency plan in advance.
• 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 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 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 AT&T Mobile TV or keep updated with local radar and severe weather alerts through My-Cast^® 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. 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.

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 a BlackBerry^® Bold or Samsung Propel™ Pro, 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 www.att.com/vitalconnections.

SOURCE: The updated (April 2009) Seasonal Forecast issued by Colorado State University forecasters Philip Klotzback and William Gray.

*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. 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 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE^® magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com.

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