As Hurricane Sandy makes her way to Brooklyn, AT&T is taking precautions to ensure that data flow can continue in what might be a time of high stress and a spike in usage.
The company has made preparations including ensuring that backup generators and enhanced support are pre-deployed and pre-positioned to serve vulnerable, low-lying areas, including portions of Brooklyn.
AT&T is also topping off fuel at generators positioned at cell sites and deploying portable generators to staging areas for rapid deployments where they then conduct safety and serviceability checks.
The company is also staging additional emergency response equipment in strategic locations in areas outside of the predicted landfall, ready to move in rapidly as the storm passed. This equipment includes additional generators, fuel tankers.
To help maximize network reliability during a storm, the company also conducts readiness drills and simulations throughout the year to ensure its networks are prepared, its personnel are ready to respond at a moment’s notice and its networks are monitored at all times.
In addition, AT&T has continued to enhance network redundancy in hurricane-prone areas by installing more back-up and permanent generators at critical cell sites and switching facilities; locating critical equipment to less vulnerable areas; upgrading electronics critical to network operations above expected flood levels; and protecting physical facilities against flooding.
