Inmarsat
services provide vital back-up communications for disaster
relief efforts in hurricane-hit US southern states.
Rescue
workers battling the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
in the USA are using Inmarsat equipment to overcome
the loss of conventional communications.
Landlines and cellular networks have
been disabled by the storm, so the US Army is relying
on Inmarsat GAN to co-ordinate disaster relief.
Colonel James Hickey, chief of staff
for the First US Army, said: "One of the things
we learned last year with the series of hurricanes that
passed through Florida was the need for satellite communications."
Katrina was one of the worst natural
disasters ever to hit the USA. The hurricane swept at
up to 140 mph across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
and western Florida, leaving a final death toll expected
to be in the hundreds.
With water levels still rising in New
Orleans in the immediate aftermath, relief teams in
stricken areas were relying on satcoms for video-conferencing,
guaranteed voice, and fast transfer of data files, such
as digital maps and photographs.
"Cell
phones and landlines may not work for some time,"
added Hickey. |
Archives: (2005 ) / (2006)
 19
December 2005
Inmarsat
Digital Maritime Enhancements in AOR-W
14
December 2005
Inmarsat
Will Run Galileo Network Operations
14
December 2005
Inmarsat
Unveils SwiftBroadband Service
at Dubai AirShow
7
December 2005
Inmarsat
Announces
Launch of BGAN Service
18
November 2005
Inmarsat's
AeroMobile
In-Flight Cell Phone
Service Tested
8
November 2005
Second
Inmarsat-4
Satellite Speeds into Orbit
1
November 2005
Inmarsat
RBGAN Utilized in Cross Country Motor Rally
17
October 2005
Inmarsat
RBGAN Perfect for Mount Elbrus Expedition
14
October 2005
Inmarsat
RBGAN Backbone
to Niger Famine Alert
10
October 2005
Inmarsat
Satellite Helps Rescue Workers After Pakistan-India
Earthquake
28
September 2005
Katrina
& Threat of Rita
Keep Inmarsat Prepared for Emergency Response
23
September 2005
Inmarsat
Plays Vital Role
in Hurricane Rita
22
September 2005
Inmarsat's
SwiftBroadband Provides Revolutionary
In- Flight Service
20
September 2005
Inmarsat
at the Heart of
Volvo Race Communications
6
September 2005
Inmarsat
Extends Capacity in Wake of Hurricane Katrina
31
August 2005
Inmarsat
Service Provides
Vital Back-Up Communications for Disaster Relief Efforts
12
August 2005
RBGAN
Terminal Integral
Role in Washington Post
30
June 2005
Inmarsat-3
Plays Key Role in Pioneering Flight Across Africa
4
May 2005
Thailand
Installs First Phase of National Tsunami Warning System
via Inmarsat
22
April 2005
Inmarsat
Puts Sri Lanken Families Affected by Tsunami
in Touch with Loved Ones
|
