Iridium Provides Critical Telecommunications to First
Responders
in Hurricane Katrina Region
As Hurricane Katrina began raking the U.S. Gulf Coast,
Iridium Satellite LLC had already begun ensuring end
users and service providers would be able to fully respond
to the looming disaster. Iridium quickly moved mobile
satellite communications equipment into the hands of
first responders at the federal, state and local levels.
Iridium’s largest customer, the U.S. Government,
already had thousands of satellite phones available
for deployment into the disaster area.
In just the first 72 hours of the disaster, Iridium
traffic in the region increased more than 3000 percent,
while the number of subscribers increased more than
500 percent.
Iridium Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carmen
Lloyd said, “Iridium has been extremely concerned
about the well-being of the hurricane victims. Our partners,
suppliers and employees have worked round-the-clock
to ensure that equipment was in the hands of those who
needed it most. We’ve got a steadfast commitment
to continue these efforts. We are very appreciative
to all who have helped us play a critical role in rescuing
and comforting victims, as well as rebuilding the area.”
To help Iridium meet this increased demand, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) moved quickly to grant
use of additional spectrum to accommodate network traffic
and minimize the risk of congestion resulting from Hurricane
Katrina.
Demand for Iridium satellite phones has been extraordinary,
leading Iridium to shift to a 24x7 manufacturing schedule.
Working extensively with trusted partner, FedEx, Iridium
has been able to quickly move equipment directly from
the manufacturing facility into the field.
With the needs of first responders in mind, Iridium
has recently completed its first round of beta testing
of its “group call push-to-talk” communications
service. This service overcomes the limitations of cellular,
landline and radio networks in emergency scenarios.
It allows multi-user communication “nets”
from Iridium phones worldwide. This service will deliver
netted communications for large groups of first responders
responsible for command and control, logistics and critical
information relay across dispersed areas. It will prove
invaluable in providing interoperability to a substantial
number of first responders in the event of a similar
catastrophe anywhere in the world.
“The extraordinary traffic levels that we have
seen in the Gulf Coast region are a reflection of the
critical importance of mobile satellite services to
the national communications infrastructure,” Lloyd
said. “Satellite phones are still among the only
means of communications where Hurricane Katrina hit.
Iridium will continue providing critical support until
the job is done.”
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19
December 2005 
