Emergency Response VSAT Internet Communications

As 2005 begins, there are a number of productsthe important fact is: These companies can't or
on the market which enable Emergency Responsewon't provide enough upload (in-route) speed or
Units to have internet connectivity at remotelow enough latency to work effectively at the
disaster locations. The products marketed thistasks listed above - period!
year mount on vehicles from Fire Rescue units to2. Determine what type of installation will provide
most any type of truck or van, on speciallyyour Emergency Response team the most
designed trailers utilizing portable generators and inflexibility in an Emergency.
transportable boxes which can be shipped by UPSWhen time is of the essence, you need a mobile
or Fed X overnight to most any location in thesetup that can be taken to a disaster site in a
U.S. A response team's greatest challenge is tohurry and is available at a moments notice to be
know enough about how this mobile satelliteon it's way. A self contained vehicle mount is the
internet technology works and what themost popular, in part due to the fact that it was
differences are in quality of transmission based onall that was available until 2003 and until recently,
the equipment chosen and services provided bythe least expensive. Many Government Agencies
the Satellite Internet Provider.don't have the budget to have such a vehicle "sit
To make the right decision at the onset of thearound" waiting for a disaster. They need to utilize
process of buying vsat mobile satellite internetthe vehicle all the time and have a legitimate
equipment will save your Government Agencyconcern that when the need arises, the vehicle
thousands of dollars in the long run. How do youwon't be able to get to a location in the time
evaluate what the best combination of equipmentframe needed......what then? Many Government
and service will be? Here is the process Iagencies I speak to have recently opted for a
recommend to the Government Agencies I speaktrailer mounted system combined with a portable
to around the country:generator or the "transportable" unit which is two
1. Determine what you will need to do on theor three "boxes" that contain all the gear needed
internet in an emergency.to quickly establish a broadband connection to the
Will you need to send digital pictures to otherinternet and can be shipped overnight by Ground
locations? Will you need to establish a VPNCarriers if needed at a distant location. In this
connection to Headquarters? Will you want to "livescenario, the monthly service is a minimal cost
stream" a camera over the internet? Do youand when the need arises, can be ramped up to
need telephone capability over the net (VOIP) in awhatever speeds are required in a matter of
very remote location that has no cell phoneminutes. This can save the Government Agency
connectivity? Do you need to connect multiplean enormous amount over the years. It has only
computers at the remote site engaged in thebeen offered by the "big boys" in this business
above activities or engaged in heavy emailing? Allwho have figured out how to make money with
but emailing requires either low latency (1/2this type of service by dedicating transponders
second or less) or fast upload speeds (sustainedthat handle more accounts than you normally
speeds above 128kbps).....some of these activitieswould have as a result of the infrequent use.
need both!The best way to make sure your investment in
If you need ANY of these capabilities, you needthis equipment is a wise one is to contact an
to look seriously at the Enterprise Class ofindependent provider who can give you a "No
equipment available today. This is not Direcway orSpin" analysis of your situation and recommend
Starband powered equipment! They are finethe right solution to your organization.
companies; however, in spite of all they can do,