AT&T reported 97 out of 100 generators worked in their network. MCI had one generator fail due to a burned out part. Two carrier hotels had problems with backup generators. For backup generators that is an excellent performance. The Department of Energy study found typically fewer backup generators have a successful start during a blackout. Even with perfect planning, maintenance and testing; its often a roll of dice which generators will start. New York Times August 16 2003 Good Day for Concerns That Help Save Data By JOHN SCHWARTZ http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/16/technology/16BACK.html Companies that have made serious investments in disaster preparation said that they came through the day without a bump. "I'm happy to say we executed flawlessly yesterday," said Margie Backaus, the chief business officer for Equinix, which maintains data centers and helps large Internet networks exchange data traffic. The company's major computing centers in Newark and Secaucus, N.J., each receive power from two substations to ensure a steady flow of electricity. But when the regional grid failed, both Equinix centers went to battery power and then to diesel generators automatically, and the packets of data continued their passage across the Internet unhindered, she said. "Everything fell into place."