...in anticipation of the 2012 hurricane season. Hughes Emergency Services include network restoral, post-event response and preparedness satellite solutions designed to provide robust, expedited broadband Internet connectivity for government and business when a disaster strikes. According to the National Hurricane Center, the 2011 hurricane season's biggest event—Hurricane Irene—caused more than $15 billion in damage and killed 49 people. This year, projections are mixed, as meteorologists predict fewer named storms but greater proximity to the U.S. coastline. According to a recent report in Forbes, hurricanes in 2012 are more likely to develop closer to the U.S., which will make forecasting more difficult and reduce warning lead-times.
"This year's unpredictable storm season reinforces two facts," said Mike Cook, senior vice president at Hughes. "You cannot predict if a storm will strike, but you can prepare for its worst effects. Businesses and governments must ensure continuity of operations during disasters—which means the ability to respond to immediate citizen and customer needs. But no response is possible without reliable communications. When cell phone towers are damaged and traditional circuits flooded, satellite broadband service ensures that organizations can respond to the disaster and maintain day-to-day operations like sending emails, processing orders, sharing information and checking inventory."
Landline connections can be unreliable during significant flooding and windy conditions, forcing operations to cease. This can mean a significant loss of revenue for businesses and disruption of vital government services that are needed most in recovery operations. Whether an organization needs emergency communications at a fixed site or on-the-move, Hughes can deliver reliable connections during crisis.
Hughes provides an Internet service plan with download speeds of up to 5 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 1 Mbps. By using the advanced SPACEWAY© 3 Ka-band satellite system, the plan provides organizations with the flexibility they need in an emergency, requiring only a two-month service commitment and the option to extend it on a month-to-month basis. For organizations that have mobile needs, Hughes offers vehicle-mount, on-the-move terminals that set up quickly and provide emergency Internet access. Every solution is backed by comprehensive 24/7 technical support and next-business day field maintenance.
