[Satellite TODAY 06-03-13] Hughes Network Systems has announced the availability of a new emergency services package as the 2013 hurricane season begins. Services include satellite network solutions for emergency preparedness, restoral, and post-event response designed to provide broadband Internet connectivity for government and business when a disaster strikes. Powered by the Spaceway 3 Ka-band satellite system or the new EchoStar 17 satellite with Jupiter high-throughput technology, users can get speeds up to 15 Mbps.

 

    According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Sandy was the largest Atlantic hurricane recorded in history and the second most expensive after Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Sandy caused approximately $20 billion in damage and an estimated loss of $50 billion in revenue from interruption to businesses. In 2013, meteorologists are predicting an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall in the Atlantic Basin including the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and along the U.S. coastline, according to Hughes.

 

     The company also stressed the importance of having a back-up generator and plenty of batteries on hand in case electrical power is not maintained, noting the critical need to stay connected during hurricane season 2013. Additional suggestions include:

·      Subscribe to a resilient, high-speed network service, such as satellite broadband, so that decision-makers and emergency operators can stay connected even if terrestrial networks fail.

·      Prepare and protect critical data. Evaluate which applications and information systems are essential. This can include Continuity of Operations (COOP) and emergency response plans, accounting documents, inventory logs, and constituent information. Organizations should back-up information frequently and store the data in a safe, secure, and dependable facility. Since data may be lost due to flooding, consider storing it at an off-site location.

·      Do not hesitate to go on alert. If a facility is at risk of losing service for an extended period of time, put its Web host provider on alert.