Technology Leaders for Emergency Responders

In today's age of wireless technologies, the multitude of cellular options, and the build-out of two-way communication systems, the need for satellite communications systems would seem to be decreasing. But as national disasters in recent years have shown, there is a growing and critical need for communications equipment that will operate when other systems cannot.

Cell phones have often replaced many two-way communication systems because of increased range, lower hardware costs, and the costs of migration toward current technology. Satellite communication wasn't seen as critical because of the improbability of a disaster that would severely affect cellular communication. September 11th and Hurricane Katrina proved that idea wrong.

Some emergency responders have been unable to do their jobs in extreme situations. But when other communication systems were down, Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) came through with dispatch services. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has been using MSV equipment for some time and is continuing to purchase more of their new dispatch units to provide communication that is always available.

MSV is a leader in satellite communication services. It is the only provider that allows dispatch service over their system; dispatch that can be used on the same units as their telephony service. MSV provides GPS location data with their new units without charge. They are also moving toward a new technology that will allow them to offer cell phones (very similar to CDMA units currently available through Teltronic) that will work on both a cellular architecture and on their new low-orbit satellite system.