The Ability to Communicate, No Matter Where, No Matter When… No Matter What.

BACKGROUND

On January 12, 2010 a series of earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 6.5 to 7.3 struck Haiti. The International Red Cross estimated that about three million people were affected by the quake. Major structures were destroyed, along with countless homes and businesses. In addition, the communications infrastructure in Haiti had been completely demolished. The American Red Cross began working with its partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, including the Haitian Red Cross, and other partners to assist those affected by this disaster in what would become the largest international mobilization of resources in the Red Cross’s history.

SOLUTION

With a particular expertise providing broadband communications where other companies cannot, SageNet was committed to doing its part to assist with earthquake relief efforts. Along with one of its partners, Echostar Satellite Services, SageNet donated equipment and services to the relief efforts. SageNet dish antennas, two-way ground stations and satellite services supported four relief sites with wireless Internet access, which allowed the 250 International Red Cross teams in Haiti to communicate their medical and personnel needs and requisition supplies.

BENEFITS

Because VSAT broadband satellite technology can be deployed anywhere and does not depend on local communications infrastructure, it has played a large part in the re-establishment of data and voice communications networks in the aftermath of many emergency situations. VSAT-based systems provide an ideal service for a “base camp” of multiple first responder personnel requiring a number of Internet connected PCs and PSTN-connected telephones. To support the immediate communications needs in Haiti, SageNet’s services could be installed quickly in any fixed location (including parked vehicles or docked ships) completely independent of the local Haitian infrastructure. Rapid deployment communications via satellite enables in-field personnel to be online and connected to the Internet, voice lines, and secure networks in a matter of minutes. These solutions are ideal for remote operations and emergency response services, mobile telemedicine, and other applications requiring frequent set-up and tear down.

Satellite enables high performance networking virtually anywhere:

• Ubiquitous Coverage – anywhere with view of the Southern sky
• Converged Communications – simultaneous voice, video and data
• Continuity of Operations – redundant, diverse, & independent path
• Rapid Deployability – mobile systems deploy in 10 minutes or less
• Scalability – service for a single site or 32,000 sites
• Security – inherent security plus secure over-the-air encryption

SageNet’s Spacenet Satellite Services™ are used for disaster relief and emergency communications by such organizations as the American Red Cross, the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Postal Service.