LONDON, Nov. 14 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* furthered its commitment to Télécoms Sans Frontières ("TSF"), the world's leading emergency telecommunications NGO, yesterday with a donation of $150,000, bringing the total level of support AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have given to the charity over the last decade to $800,000. 

The donation was presented by Charlene Lake, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Chief Sustainability Officer, AT&T, at an event hosted by His Excellency Bernard Emié the French Ambassador to Great Britain at his Residence in London.  The event marked the 15^th anniversary of TSF's first overseas aid mission and the tenth year of AT&T and AT&T Foundation support.  It was attended by leading representatives from the telecoms industry along with senior government officials, NGOs and media.

TSF can deploy anywhere in the world within 24 hours to help reinstate telecommunications channels, assist rescue operations and help disaster victims to reach family and friends.  The decade of support AT&T has given the French based charity is recognition of the invaluable humanitarian work the organization does to connect people around the world in moments of adversity.

"The work of TSF highlights the importance of communications to the fabric of society", said Charlene Lake speaking at the event last night. "Through establishing telecoms centers in moments of crisis, and re-establishing telecoms and ICT infrastructure post crisis, they connect people to each other and enable communities to rebuild themselves.  We at AT&T are committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives and it has been a privilege to champion TSF in the critical work they do".

TSF's President and co-founder, Jean-Francois Cazenave replied, "AT&T's support will allow us to continue to expand our operations globally and further our ability to respond to disasters and sustain support to communities at times of crisis.  We have benefited from 10 years of shared commitment to connecting people through telecommunications and we are honored that the world leader in the industry continues to renew its trust in TSF".

TSF is currently operating in Syria and North Mali, providing critical communications helping civilians and relief organizations tackle deteriorating security situations.

*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 and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2011, more than $115 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

About Télécoms Sans Frontières

Founded in 1998, Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) / Telecom Without Borders is the world's leading emergency telecommunications NGO. For more than 14 years, TSF has participated in emergency response, setting up emergency facilities in war or disaster zones for affected populations and relief workers. With its 24-hour monitoring center and offices in Europe, Central America, Asia, and its office in the United States, TSF rapid-response teams: (1) intervene anywhere in the world in less than 24 hours to provide emergency broadband service; (2) work with partners to make long-term development missions more effective and efficient using broadband and empower advances in health, development, education, and food security; and (3) train governments, UN staff, and NGOs on how to use telecom and Internet tools in emergencies.

In 14 years, TSF has deployed to more than 60 countries, supporting over 650 relief organizations and providing humanitarian calling operations to hundreds of thousands of people in need. TSF is partner of the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UNICEF. TSF was designated "First Emergency Telecoms Responder" within the United Nations Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC).

Jean-François Cazenave, president of TSF, cofounded TSF in 1998 with Monique Lanne-Petit, TSF's director.  www.tsfi.org

SOURCE AT&T Inc.