AT&T Offers Winter Storm Tips for Georgians

Editor's Note: Brrrr... The chill is on. Here are some great tips as Georgia looks at continuing cold and winter storm weather over the next few days.

/PRNewswire/ -- With freezing temperatures and an expected forecast of snow across metro Atlanta and Coastal, Middle and Southern Georgia this week, AT&T* is providing important communications tips for use before, during and after a storm.

AT&T realizes the important role that communications plays in an emergency situation, and has invested millions of dollars to toughen its networks and further bolster its disaster recovery capabilities. AT&T is committed to keeping its customers connected, and has taken steps to ensure its wireless networks are ready.

AT&T Winter Storm 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.

Use text messaging. During a peak 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.

Take advantage of weather text-alert programs. AT&T participates in a number of text alert school closing notification programs. AT&T's customers should check their local news websites to see if weather related text alert programs are available in their area.

Make sure you have a "Winter Storm Phone." It is 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 require electricity, so they won't work if you lose your power.

Keep non-emergency calls to a minimum. If there is severe weather, chances are many people will be attempting to place calls to loved ones, friends and business associates.

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's battery 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 a car charger or having extra charged mobile phone batteries or disposable mobile phone batteries on hand.

Keep your wireless phone dry. The biggest threat to your device during a storm is water, so keep your equipment safe from the elements by storing it in a baggie or some other type of protective covering.

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 and get regular updates on your phone.

Take advantage of location-based mapping technology. Services such as AT&T Navigator and AT&T FamilyMap can help you avoid traffic congestion from downed trees or power lines, as well as track a family member's wireless device in case you get separated.

Use your camera phone, take photos -- even video clips -- of damaged property for your insurance company from your device.

AT&T monitors and maintains its networks 24/7 and conducts readiness drills throughout the year to ensure that the networks and personnel are ready to respond in a moment's notice.

AT&T's wireless network storm preparations include:

-- Adding capacity to the wireless network to accommodate increased call
volume.
-- Routine testing of high-capacity backup batteries located at every
cell site.
-- Topping off generators with fuel at cell sites and central and
field-level switching facilities.
-- Staging mobile cell sites and portable generators in safe locations
for their immediate deployment once a storm has passed.
-- Expanding the number of fixed power generators at our wireless cell
sites. These permanent generators are in addition to the battery
backup power that we have at every wireless cell site across Georgia.

AT&T representatives at any of its more than 60 Georgia retail store locations can provide additional tips for charging extra cell phone batteries and learning to text. More information on AT&T's disaster preparedness can be found at: www.att.com/vitalconnections

*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.

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Georgia Tech Joins Industry Alliance to Help Build the Mobile Internet

True mobile Internet capability for wireless devices – including high-definition TV, movies and video-conferencing – has taken a step closer to reality.

The Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) at Georgia Tech is allying with several major corporations and an international standards group to promote a new worldwide cognitive radio (CR) standard that would allow new levels of performance in portable devices such as cellular phones and computers.....http://gfpwebtech.blogspot.com/2009/02/georgia-tech-joins-industry-alliance-to.html

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Samsung Expands Wireless Research Facility at Georgia Tech

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. has significantly increased its research presence here, opening a new wireless-technology laboratory and expanding its working relationship with the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Homoon Kang, CEO of Korea-based Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., led a recent dedication ceremony that marked the expansion of the company’s North American Design Center on the Georgia Tech campus. The Samsung Design Center focuses on research and development of mixed-signal integrated circuits, primarily for use in wireless applications.

The new Samsung facility, located in the Centergy One Building at 75 Fifth St. NW, houses 5,400 square feet of laboratory and office space. The new center is located close to its Georgia Tech research partner, the Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC), which is headquartered in the Technology Square Research Building at 85 Fifth St. NW.

“This is a very satisfying day for us at Samsung,” said Kang. “We are proud of our research work in Georgia, and we look forward to ongoing success in our partnership with the Georgia Electronic Design Center.”

The Samsung Design Center first opened in 2005 in the Technology Square Research Building. It has now grown to more than 50 full- and part-time employees, and Samsung has announced its intention to have 100 full-time and 50 part-time people working for the center within two years.

"The Samsung project is a prime example of the importance of the city’s and the Atlanta Development Authority’s (ADA) focus on strong, long-term economic development partnerships,” said Shirley Franklin, mayor of Atlanta. “ADA has been a partner with Georgia Tech since the inception of Technology Square and maintains a great working relationship with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Electronic Design Center and the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute.”

Mayor Franklin praised Samsung for its investment and expressed confidence in the continued growth of the company’s research center.

Among the dignitaries on hand at the opening ceremonies was Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Stewart later noted that since its inception the Samsung effort has had the combined support of his department, the Georgia Research Alliance and Georgia Tech.

"The expansion of the Samsung design center is a true win-win event for both Samsung and the State of Georgia,” he said. “This successful center can be expected to serve as an ongoing economic asset for the city and the state, as well as a beacon to other top international microelectronics players.”

Kwang Wook Bae recently took over as executive director of the Samsung center. Chang-Ho Lee, Ph.D., who has been with the center since it began, now serves as research director.

The Samsung center is currently researching core technologies for next-generation communication systems, with particular focus on development of CMOS-based system-on-chip devices for modem, digital and RF systems. One device under development is a cost-effective, highly efficient CMOS-based transmitter for wireless communication applications.

Innovations developed by researchers at the Atlanta-based design center are expected to impact a broad spectrum of Samsung’s worldwide product offerings, according to company executives.

Samsung’s former space in the Technology Square Research Building will continue to be used by GEDC for work related to Samsung’s research interests.

“We are delighted that Samsung is increasing its research profile here,” said Joy Laskar, director of GEDC and Schlumberger Chair in Microelectronics in the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “We expect this partnership between Samsung and GEDC to continue to develop key new technologies in cognitive radio and other important wireless fields.”