National Conference on Emergency
Communications Systems (NCEC)
Lessons Learned – Post Katrina
Satellite Communications Systems
for Emergency Disaster Recovery
The George Washington University
Leslie P. Blaker
VP, Development
December 12th, 2005
Leslie.Blaker@americom-gs.com
Tel: 703-917-5605
Americom Government Services Background
An independent, wholly-owned US subsidiary of SES Americom serving USG SATCOM since 1973
Part of SES Global, the world’s leading commercial satellite Group, offering a fleet of 42 satellites
with a long-standing record of technical, financial and “six-sigma” (99.9999) operational excellence
Turn key services with the strength of a Global Satellite Operator providing satellite capacity,
teleport, hybrid custom network solutions, equipment,and IP platform networking services,
to meet a wide range of secure requirements for fixed, transportable, and mobile applications
Broad, Diverse Government SATCOM Services Experience for over 30 years
Post Katrina/Rita….Lessons Learned:
Satellite Is Part of the Solution
To ensure redundant, resilient and reliable interoperable
communications networks, satellites must be a required
component of all disaster recovery communications
networks under consideration by the US Government:
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently
examining a range of emergency communication proposals,
including proposals to ensure interoperability. Satellite
systems should be emphasized and included in the early
planning of these initiatives.
• The required technology, capacity, and services are available
today from commercial satellite operators to corporations,
government users and consumers across the globe.
Lessons Learned: Satellites Are Essential to
Disaster Recovery Reconstitution of Infrastructure
Nearly three weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Region, the
terrestrial communications networks in the region were still not
functioning:
 Only 60 percent of the cell phone networks were working properly
 70 percent of the broadcast stations were functioning
 Roughly two million calls per day were still failing
The resulting lack of communications infrastructure severely impeded the
ability of first responders and others in their disaster relief and recovery
efforts.
While the outages on terrestrial networks surged in the days following
Katrina, satellite networks were providing reliable communications
services.
When the terrestrial telephone and broadcast networks went
down….satellites communications provided the
needed critical redundancy.
Lessons Learned: Pre-Position Equipment and Capacity
We learned after 9/11, the Hurricanes in Florida in 2004, Katrina and Rita,
and the recent earthquakes in Pakistan, satellite equipment and capacity
need to be there before the disaster strikes.
Pre-positioning mobile satellite phones and terminals, small satellite
dishes (VSATs), and satellite radio receivers near anticipated relief areas
enables more rapid deployment in the aftermath of a disaster.
The Government needs to facilitate a wider pre-positioned deployment of
these assets by ensuring that satellite capacity and equipment become
part of the comprehensive redundant communications solutions used by
first responders during the planning stages, rather than at the last minute.
Lessons Learned: Satellite Personnel Need Access
to Restore Networks
The day after Katrina hit, satellite installation and repair crews were
ready to begin restoring communications. Unfortunately, too many of
these professionals couldn't get permission from officials to enter the
area.
Satellite service providers and their technicians should be allowed into
disaster areas to restore critical communications and should be
included in preparations for such events (including national network
redundancy planning).
- The DHS/NCS National Coordination Center (NCC) supports this
needed coordination through Federal agencies and it’s commercial
members
- By credentialing such individuals and companies as first
responders through agencies such as DHS/NCS-NCC, we can
enable critical satellite infrastructure providers to get into the
affected areas to restore vital capabilities without delay or
interference.
Lessons Learned: Satellite Spectrum Must Be Preserved
and Protected
Satellite networks are uniquely able to deliver redundant, reliable, and
resilient communications and meet the demands of the public safety
community.
The availability and widespread deployment of satellite networks
depends upon the satellite industry’s access to adequate spectrum –
free from interference.
The satellite industry believes that:
- U.S. government policy must ensure that existing satellite
spectrum be preserved and protected from harmful interference
both at home and abroad.
- The FCC’s rules and policies should afford satellite operators
sufficient technical flexibility to continue to meet the needs of the
public safety community.
- The US Government should refrain from taking actions that
undercut international allocations of spectrum for satellite use.
Commercial Fixed Satellite Services Solutions Deployed
Following the first wave of responders in support of Katrina, Fixed Satellite
Services (FSS) were deployed for both critical and non-critical communications
needs supporting higher broadband voice, DSL/data, and video restoration.
These applications were both fixed, and transportable pending the need. Those
utilizing FSS included:
• Federal, state and local governments
• Schools, churches and local relief organizations
• Businesses (Telco’s, Healthcare, Banks, Insurance, and Enterprise)
• News organizations
• Gas, Electric, and Water Companies
• Red Cross - Emergency Communications Response Vehicles (ECRV)
FSS Example: Transportable Satcom Terminals
Rapidly deployable, Broadband Field Communications
SmartPointtm Terminal
•
•
Ruggedized Auto-Pointing/Auto Acquisition
Rapid Deployment/Easy Setup
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•
•
•
•
•
•
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<30 minutes from cases to network access
AGS Developed Software and Hardware
1.0 & 1.2 meter options
4 – 25 Watt Ku-Band options
4 Rugged Transit Cases for easy shipment
IP Network Configurations
DSL and above data speeds
Wireless LAN and VoIP Options
Early Adopters
•
•
•
FEMA/NCS/NCC ISAC
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
US NAVY/ SPAWAR/US Army
The Equipment precedes the Network
FSS Example: Broadband Comm-on-the-Move
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•
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Secure Two-way broadband IP connectivity while on the move
Pre-positioned and operational bandwidth, hub equipment,
and backhaul infrastructure supports rapid deployment
Managed Network Service provided on AGS owned and
operated hubs and terrestrial infrastructure
Hub connectivity to Siprnet, Niprnet, GIG Services, etc.
via AGS teleport pops.
Spread spectrum Ku-band Connectivity:
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512Kbps on the uplink, 10Mbps on the downlink
Enables FCC/ITU compliance
Shared architecture for efficient transponder usage
RF and IP design optimal for blockage mitigation
Each region supported by its own hub and spoke architecture
in the United States, IOR or POR.
Antenna Size, and structure to accommodate HUMV or similar
vehicle roof mount.
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18 inch or smaller tracking antenna with fast acquisition
Low profile antenna under development (10-14 inches high)
FSS Examples: State Government Custom
Networks Using VSAT’s
Emergency Response: Homeland Security & State Governments
• Supplemental Network to existing Police/ 1st Responder Radio System
using Pre-Positioned Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT’s)
Custom solutions – Unique to each Application/Requirement
AGS Project “Red Phone” Service Concept
Readiness
 Preparedness
Communications and
training….Broadcast training
and general information
content to all state, county
and local municipal buildings
over a private video
network (IP Prime
development).
Response
 Backup Communications.. .
Provide voice and data
communications in the event
of primary communications
failure.
 Incident Area Network…
support incident high
bandwidth communications
needs with mobile broadband
communications on the
pause (SmartPoint terminal)
and on the move (MBB
development).
 Interoperability….support
voice and data
interoperability requirements
by interconnecting remote
networks with satellite
communications.
Recovery
 Recovery Communications
….Broadcast recovery
information content to all
state, county and local
municipal buildings over a
private video network (IP
Prime development).
 Temporary Network …
support post incident high
bandwidth communications
needs by public and private
personal with mobile
broadband communications
on the pause (SmartPoint
terminal) and on the move
(MBB development).
AGS Project “Red Phone” Service Concept
Recommendations
•
Satellites must be an essential component of critical communications
networks.
•
Satellite capacity and equipment must be pre-purchased and pre-positioned.
•
Satellite operators and personnel must be credentialed as first responders.
•
Satellite spectrum must be preserved, and protected from interference.
Satellites = Redundancy, Ubiquity, Interoperability
http://www.americom-gs.com
Global MILSATCOM Conference 24/25 November 2003