1. Understanding Satellite Communications for Disaster Recovery
Near Term Satellite Communications for Disaster Recovery
Understanding Satellite Communications for Disaster Recovery
John R. “Ted” O’Brien
VP, Market Development
tel no 1 (301)

2. Iridium Voice Traffic in the Gulf Region August 19, 2005

3. Iridium Voice Traffic in the Gulf Region September 2, 2005
Estimated 8-10,000
Iridium users
in the field within 1st two weeks after
Katrina hit
3,000 % increase
in traffic in the
region

4. Iridium Network Capabilities
Requires only one gateway for full global operation
No reliance on regional infrastructure or ground routing
Voice and data service
These are the capabilities which gives Iridium some uniqueness in the market. We operate a single gateway globally. This allows for customers to have a single access point. Additionally, since our gateway is located in North America, it gives us access to some of the best terrestrial termination rates in the world. The other is our independence from any regional infrastructure.During the tragic days following September 11th, Iridium and our SPs delivered over 1000 Iridium units to Manhattan. Over 90% of them were used and there was no contention or congestion on our network from the region. In addition, we were the considered the most reliable network due to our independence from the terrestrial infrastructure by the law enforcement and rescue communities.

5. True Global Service

6. Iridium Call Routing for Disaster Recovery
Iridium’s call path is highly secure and disaster proof. Calls seamlessly transit inter-satellite links, never relying on ground transport. Iridium to Iridium calls go directly from satellite phone to satellite to phone.
Tamil Nadu, India Post Tsunami
Iridium 9505 Handset
Iridium Gateway Tempe, Arizona

7. Push To Talk: Phase 1 Talk Group A. All members on Satellite 1
Talk Group B. All members on Satellite 2

8. Push To Talk: Phase 2
Talk Group A. Members on Satellites 1 and 2 and others
Talk Group B. Members on Satellites 1 and 2 and others

9. Equipment Configurations
Participant Notes:
Multi-Channel
Fixed Service
Handheld
Vehicular
Mount

10. Iridium Used for Disaster Recovery
Iridium was used extensively during Taiwan Earthquake in 1999; South Pole rescue (May 2001); aftermath of September 11, 2001; Arizona Wildfires (July, ); New York Blackout (Power Outage in New York in August, 2003); Florida hurricanes; Disaster Relief following the Asian Tsunami in December, ; and the Indonesian Earthquake in January, 2005
Iridium's Service Partners activated nearly 800 phones in the 1st two days of September, 2004 in preparation for hurricane Frances
Iridium users and traffic in the tsunami-affected area doubled in early January
On December 29 Iridium temporarily
reopened Northern Sri Lanka
communications to assist relief efforts.

11. Iridium Used for Disaster Recovery
In aftermath of Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne that devastated parts of Florida and the Caribbean, Iridium handsets were used by Hillsborough County’s Emergency Support Function Group before landline and cell phone capabilities were restored.
Photo Near Tampa, FL; August 2004
by Hillsborough County Extension Relief Team

12. Iridium Used for Disaster Recovery
In response to Hurricane Frances, GMPCS provided more than 400 phones to emergency response teams, local businesses and essential public services, including Florida Power and Light (FPL).
Photos near Jensen Beach, Florida following Hurricane Frances – Sept. ’04

13. September 11, 2001 Testimonial
“Shortly after the World Trade Towers were struck, Verizon lost all service from their West Street Central switching office. My cell phone was essentially useless, as was our landline home line. I walked out to a clear area on our street and turned on my Iridium handset.
It quickly responded with "Registered" and the signal came up. It meant more than I can say to have that call go through at that moment. I carry my Iridium handset regardless of how short a trip may be. Your service is an indispensable communications tool.”
Gerald Anzano ING Asset Management

14. September 11, 2001 - Pentagon Region
Provided 450 handsets to greater DC military, law enforcement, rescue, and humanitarian forces

15. Needed Improvements User education – solution choices
Multiple systems available
Specific capabilities
Varied requirements (over time, between tasks)
Equipment pre-positioning
Network operators, service providers, users
User training
E.g. dialing, “line-of-sight
Application adoption
E.g. tracking, monitoring
Interoperability
Wide variety of systems employed