Qualcomm Support for Hurricane Katrina and

Haiti Earthquake Relief

JTF-KatrinaEmergency Communications Support

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QUALCOMM Deployable 3G CDMA Cellular SystemComplete call processing in two transit cases

Capabilities:• Secure call capable• Clear calls with commercial phones• Wireless data• Secure call capable • PSTN interface• Supports up to 5000 users• Interface with Ku-band SATCOM link• Simplified Graphical User Interface (GUI)

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Hurricane Katrina/Rita Support Timeline

• On September 2, 2005 USG made an emergency request to Qualcomm to provide support in response to Hurricane Katrina

• On September 4 QUALCOMM delivered a QDBS, Ku-band satellite terminal, 400 cellular phones, and a support team

• QUALCOMM worked with ALLTEL, Verizon Wireless and Sprint to secure spectrum for the QDBS system

• QUALCOMM and FEMA personnel setup the cellular system at the St. Bernard Parish Emergency Operations Center

• NORTHCOM set up an operational QDBS system at NAS Belle Chasse (now JRB New Orelans) to support communications south of New Orleans

• 6 additional QDBS systems were delivered to support communications in other Parishes

FEMA & Northern Command Initial sites

FEMA

Northern Command operational Sept 19th (Notional 1-RF Tx 5 mile coverage circle)

FEMA QDBS operational Sept. 8th (Notional 2-RF Tx coverage pattern)

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JTF – Katrina Parish Network

New Orleans NASBelle Chasse, LA19 Sep 2005

RAN

MSC

SatelliteModem

Dipolew/ Diversity

UPS

GUI

QDBS-Cellular Deployment Supporting UN Relief Operations in Haiti

• Qualcomm donated the following to the United Nations:

– 800 MHz QDBS-Cellular System– 1900 MHz QDBS-Cellular RAN– 800 MHz and 1900 MHz 3-Sector Expansion Kits– 50 800/1900 MHz phones – 5 laptops plus aircards

• Original plan called for shipping QDBS to the ITU in Geneva in mid January 2010

• ITU requested redirection of the QDBS to the Dominican Republic for staging and operator training to support the UN’s Haiti Earthquake response on January 13, 2010

Background

Haiti and the Dominican Republic

160 miles

Timeline• January 14-17, 2010

– Logistics planning, Export Compliance, Customs

– QDBS ships to Miami for flight to Santo Domingo

• January 18– Team flies to Dominican Republic– Air Cargo flight to Santo Domingo canceled

due to no landing slot

• January 19– Join ITU Team and begin training– Air Cargo flight diverted to San Juan due to

no landing slot

• January 20– Continue training– Assist UN team with prep of BGAN satellite

data terminals and Iridium phones– QDBS equipment arrives in Santo Domingo,

UN staff expedites customs clearance

Timeline-3

• January 21– QDBS Hands-On training– Initial positive impressions

• Size• UI

Timeline-2• January 21

– QDBS Hands-On training– Initial positive impressions

• January 22– Package scaled down system for shipment to Haiti

• January 23– UN Team flys into Haiti with QDBS and other SATCOM

equipment– Team shuttles between Port-Au-Prince and Santo Domingo

Timeline-3

• January 27– ITU Teams returns to Haiti– Train personnel from Haitian Regulator

(CONATEL) and GSM carrier “Voila” to operate 800 MHz QDBS

– System went live shortly thereafter

Concept of Operations

• Private voice network linking:– UN Operations Center– Caribbean Disaster Emergency

Response Agency (CDERA)– Various Non-Governmental

Organizations (NGOs)

• Internet link through INMARSAT BGAN Data Terminal

Lessons Learned

• Spectrum clearance is a challenge– Close coordination between wireless carriers and Government

• Close coordination with Sponsor was a must for coordinating delivery of hardware and embarkation of support teams

• Bring all spares and accessories that you might need• “Bring your own Logistics” support for deployed teams• Prior coordination with Government and Non-Government

organizations

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