AT&T* announced today that it has deployed Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) resources to Chile as a preventive measure to ensure business continuity of the AT&T node in Santiago. The action is in response to a series of natural disasters that have affected the South American country since the devastating earthquake of February 27, which was followed by tsunamis and various aftershocks.

The NDR resources include trained managers, engineers and technicians of AT&T's NDR team and a recovery trailer equipped with high-tech equipment, cables and connections. The professionals have already prepared the equipment on site in Santiago as part of the of AT&T's comprehensive business continuity plan.

While the AT&T Global Network node in Chile is currently operational, AT&T has deployed the NDR resources so that communications can be restored quickly to customers in the unlikely event of additional disaster-related disruptions to the network.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people in Chile who have lost their lives, and those who are facing the challenges of the natural disasters," said Eduardo Farinelli, AT&T Business Solutions sales center vice president for South America. "In the quest for recovery, we are committed to supporting our business customers by providing continuity of international communications with clients, vendors and other stakeholders."

During the last 15 years, AT&T has invested more than US$500 million in its NDR program, which includes specially trained managers, engineers and technicians from across the United States, as well as a fleet of more than 300 self-contained equipment trailers and support vehicles that house the same equipment and components as an AT&T data-routing or voice-switching center.

Since 1992, the NDR team has been activated more than a dozen times in response to disasters, including restoring service after the tornadoes in Oklahoma in 1999; the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center in 2001; wildfires in San Diego in 2003 and 2007; Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005; and Hurricanes Gustav, Dolly and Ike in 2008.