The George Washington University

Leslie P. BlakerVP, Development

December 12th, 2005Leslie.Blaker@americom-gs.com

Tel: 703-917-5605

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems (NCEC)

Lessons Learned – Post KatrinaSatellite Communications Systems

for Emergency Disaster Recovery

Broad, Diverse Government SATCOM Services Experience for over 30 years

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

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.

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)

Commercial Fixed Satellite Services Solutions Deployed

FSS Example: Transportable Satcom Terminals

The Equipment precedes the Network

Rapidly deployable, Broadband Field Communications

SmartPointtm Terminal• Ruggedized Auto-Pointing/Auto Acquisition• Rapid Deployment/Easy Setup

<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

FSS Example: Broadband Comm-on-the-Move

• 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:

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. 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

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).

Readiness Response Recovery

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 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

AGS Project “Red Phone” Service Concept

Public Internet

Americom IPConnect Platform

FD

Fire department

FD

Fire department

Woodbine, MD and Brewster, WA Earth Stations

Using Americom’s diverse satellite fleet, fixed and mobile sites will have access to IP voice, data and training videos

“ ” Proactive Load Monitoring with dynamic load balancing

(manual) Dynamic bandwidth allocation

across multiple satellites and within a satellite

Diverse, bi- coastal EarthStations

Diverse Hubs at Diverse Earth

Stations

Video

DataVoice

Mobile Truck

Fire-Police-Enterprise-

Wireless access point

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

Global MILSATCOM Conference 24/25 November 2003

http://www.americom-gs.com