Does my business need an emergency plan?

Emergency PlanWe have all seen the seemingly endless tide of natural disasters around the United States. With wildfires, mudslides, hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters it’s important to have a business plan in place for your business.

Remote Satellite Systems has assisted emergency responders establish satellite communications in rural areas, where the difference between clear communication and trying to find a signal could mean a delay to relief efforts and lives lost. We have also outfitted public agencies with satellite communications equipment that are vital in times of natural disaster, when telephone poles and other ground support may be knocked down and unable to provide cellular and landline support.

Everyone Needs an Emergency Plan

Emergency plans and satellite communications are not just for public agencies. It makes sense for every business to plan for man-made and natural disasters. As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to prepare so that if there is an emergency, you have a plan in place to assess the situation, use available resources to take care of yourself, your employees, and your business’s recovery. Talk with your employees about an evacuation plan, a shelter in place plan (if possible), and discuss any employee disabilities that will need to be addressed in an emergency (for example, assigning someone to make sure a deaf coworker leaves the building if a fire alarm sounds). By coordinating with your employees, readying a plan, and reviewing your emergency plan annually, you will be more prepared should a disaster occur.

Part of being prepared is having the proper equipment to stay informed and reach out. There are a variety of satellite communications solutions that would be helpful in an emergency, from the lightweight and portable Iridium 9575 Extreme Push-to-Talk to the Ultimate Wireless Survival Kit. Depending on where your business is located and the particular needs of your company, Remote Satellite Systems can outfit you with a personalized solution in case of an emergency. Contact us today to discuss your emergency plan.

Vocality BASICS VOICE

Expand your satellite voice capability with the Vocality voice Gateway. Vocality has been developing FXS and FXO Gateways for satellite networks for many years and has perfected voice quality and the user experience.

 

Remote Satellite Systems is able to offer customers a variety of networks and hardware depending on their needs. Requirements are going to be different for a nautical voyage to open sea versus disaster relief in war-torn areas. We’ve talked a lot about the Iridium LEO network and the fantastic Wi-Fi hotspot and PTT options available. Another product that RSS is particularly excited about is Vocality BASICS Voice Gateway.

 

There are three main advantages of the Vocality Voice Gateway: straightforward design, compact size, and voice capabilities. The BASICS series is aptly named for their total ease of use. All of the BASICs family of products comes ready to use our of the box and our satellite communications experts are always on hand to help with any technological issues you may have. In addition to the simple to use interface, the FXS (telephone handsets) and FXO (telephone exchanges) provide the lowest size and weight, so you can carry them with you wherever you go. We know space can be a premium in a tightly packed piece of luggage, which is why we recommend the Vocality Voice Gateway. Lastly, the device has low bandwidth requirements to hook up phones to an IP network, making it easier for you to connect.

 

In this post we highlighted the BASICS Voice Gateway, which has top voice quality and an intuitive user experience, but there are many other products in the BASICS series. We also can help you with the BASIC IP Router, Radio Relay, Hybrid, and Multivoice. These products are ideal if you are in a remote location where minimal equipment size and the number of physical sockets in a device are crucial. The BASICS offer connectivity options that enable you, wherever you are, to create a single unified network regardless of remote device technology. If you’re interested in learning about this family of products, which offers numerous connectivity options, consult your local experts at Remote Satellite Systems.

Iridium Go

IRDM IridiumGO

The Iridium Go has been well received in the Corporate Emergency Business Continuity world with many large companies replacing their older handheld satphones with these smaller and easier to use Iridium “Hot Spots”. For these new users who rely on their ‘ I-Phone type Smart Phones”  the direct availability of Contact Phone book and direct SMS text messaging has brought the Go to the forefront with Emergency Mangers alike………………………………….

 

https://www.remotesatellite.com/products/iridium-go

 

We have talked before on our blog about explorers that need reliable, portable satellite communications to connect with their families when far from home. But it’s not just explorers in open ocean and climbing mountains that turn to us for high tech satellite solutions. Remote Satellite Systems is lucky to work with people and organizations that encompass a wide range of professions and hobbies, from government and defense to media to transportation. This makes our work interesting and challenging; we happily rise to the occasion of finding the right satellite equipment and network for each client.

 

Speaking of the right satellite equipment, Remote Satellite Systems is happy to announce the Iridium Go. While we work with customers all over the world involved in all types of work, this satellite Wi-Fi access point has already been well received in the corporate emergency business continuity world.

 

The Iridium Go is used primarily for voice, SMS, and email. However you can also run applications, use it for social networking and photo sharing, and access GPS tracking and SOS alert with this device. Many big businesses in the industry are replacing their older handheld satellite phones with the more compact and easier to use Iridium “Hot Spots”. New users who rely on the Go include Emergency Managers that enjoy the direct availability of the Contact Phone book, direct SMS text messaging, and 100 ft hotspot radius.

 

What’s the best feature of the new Go? This rugged and mobile unit establishes a revolutionary worldwide connection for voice and data communications for up to five devices. This compact, reliable connection can support up to five smartphones and tablets! Using it is as simple as flipping up the integrated antenna. The battery-powered unit connects quickly and easily to the Iridium low earth orbit satellite network to create a Wi-Fi hotspot that you can connect multiple devices to. Contact us to learn more about the Go.

Cobham Explorer 8100 and 8120 1.0 /1.2 meter Drive-Away VSAT with Auto-Acquire Antenna System

explorer 8100 mounted 2 large

Does your job require you to go to desolate and rugged patches of the Earth? There are explorers, scientists, press, humanitarian groups and others who work in the isolation areas of glaciers in Antarctica, rainforests in Southeast Asia, and deserts in Africa, and cannot use traditional cell phones. For many who work in these remote areas, lack of communication with family and friends can be extremely disheartening. Satellite communication is a much needed solution that can be used to talk, email, transfer data, video conferences, and even lifesaving communication when a remote person is in trouble.

 

When you need a reliable and rugged satellite connection, turn to Remote Satellite Systems. We are pleased to announce we now have two new offerings: Explorer 8100 and Explorer 8120.

 

These high-end, drive-away models can be used both on a vehicle and in very harsh windy conditions    – they won’t disconnect with high wind gusts or vehicle movement, like some lower priced VSAT models –  once you’ve deployed the antenna  at your destination. They are both rugged systems built completely in-house by Cobham SATCOM Group, a leader in satellite communications construction. In recent years, Cobham has developed some of the most advanced portable satellite technology in the industry. These new models are not only rugged, they are pushing the frontier of Dual Satellite Network technology. New antenna designs means the Explorer 8100 offers industry-leading satellite acquisition times, with pointing typically achieved in less than 4 minutes! With the speed and portability of these systems, you have high quality connectivity with ease of use.

 

We’ve stated before the importance of staying ahead of technology. Whether you are a researcher or a disaster relief group, there will be a time when you need to communicate with your partners, company, government, or loved ones. Be prepared with the right equipment. We have helped individuals and companies across a wide swath of industries find the right communications solution for them. Contact Remote Satellite Systems International to discuss what the best option is for your needs and budget, we have many VSAT options as well as a full range of satellite communications devices.

MSAT G2 Satellite Radio/Telephone

MSAT G2 Satellite Radio

It seems that Mother Nature is everywhere in the news recently. From Hurricane Harvey’s devastating flooding in Houston to wildfires raging across Oregon, California, and Montana, first responders are working tirelessly to protect homes and lives. When lives are on the line, they need communication that works. Satellite technology can be used in rural areas where there is no established ground connection and devastated places that have had networks disabled. This makes technology, like the MSAT G2 Satellite Radio, essential to emergency personnel.

 

Remote Satellite Systems has many push to talk radio over satellite options, and is especially excited about the growth and reliability of the MSAT- G2 Network.  The MSAT-G2 was  the first of its kind with Push-To-Talk radio functionality for the US Public Safety sector.. With traditional cell phones and radios, natural disasters may knock out power lines and affect network connection. With SMART Talk Groups from MSAT, emergency professionals are able to use PTT technology to coordinate with other agencies, ensuring they can use time and resources efficiently to save lives.

 

The features of the MSAT-G2 make it perfect for fire, police, search and rescue, and other emergency responders. This device has the capability to interface into an existing radio dispatch console, making it ideal for easy integration and use in Public Safety organizations. It supports a continent-wide group and private Push-To-Talk communications, as well as the making and receiving telephone calls. It also has GPS capability, and Land Mobile and Maritime antenna options give users advanced satellite tracking ability, allowing them to communicate wherever they are located.

 

Remote Satellite Systems is proud to work with various governmental organizations to ensure public safety. We recently helped the Marin Rural Fire Department and the Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) set up a reliable and rugged solution to their communication problems, using MSAT PTT technology. Many cities, counties, and towns are turning to the MSAT G2 Satellite for their emergency services professionals. Let RSSI help you find the perfect solution for your needs.

Cobham Explorer 3075 0.7 meter Multi Band Manual Fly Away VSAT System

Explorer 8100 Mounted

Over thousands of years of exploration, humankind is still pushing boundaries. Technological advances have allowed us to crisscross the earth and venture into previously unchartered territories like Antarctica. With satellite communications, we can even keep in contact with our families back home. Whether you are planning an expedition into the Amazon or hiking Mt. Everest, you can count on a high- quality broadband connection with the EXPLORER 3075.  In the modern age, this Manual Fly-Away Antenna System allows you access to mobile Internet while you explore remote areas. No matter how rugged or isolated your destination, the EXPLORER 3075 can go with you.

 

The EXPLORER 3075 is particularly helpful as a communication tool because it is compact. The 0.75 dish has a Ku-Band feed; this higher-powered Ku-Band allows for a smaller receiving dish, saving precious space. It weighs less than 23 pounds and fits inside a single case, making it easy to carry and capable of being checked on airlines.  It also features the same genuine EXPLORER design, which Cobham SATCOM has used with the EXPLORER BGAN and VSAT terminals. This tried and true design from Cobham has proven itself as a reliable conduit for vital communication with the Explorer 8100 and EXPLORER 8120 Drive-Away Antenna systems.

 

The EXPLORER 3075 has many benefits including

·         Ease of use

·         Quick set up

·         Lightweight

·         Airline Checkable

·         Rugged

·         High-quality connection in all conditions

 

For almost two decades Remote Satellite Systems has helped organizations and individuals find the right satellite communications equipment and stay connected. We are the trusted satellite company for diverse populations, from working with law enforcement to ensure public safety to making sure world explorers have a lifeline. We have continued to stay at the cutting edge of technology to offer the best solutions for our clients. The EXPLORER 3075 is the latest innovation that allows all users, even those with minimal satellite communication experience, access to broadband Internet within minutes. This system is one of a kind and the forefront of VSAT Satellite Terminal design.  Never before has there been such a small, compact, and airline checkable SATCOM at this price with such advanced features. Next time you are going on an adventure, be sure to have the equipment you need to connect.

 

Iridium 9575 PTT Push to Talk

Iridium 9575 PTT

The Iridium 9575 Extreme PTT may look like a simple cell phone from the 1990s or a walkie talkie. However, this state of the art new Push to Talk phone is a sophisticated solution to real world connection difficulties. This versatile phone can be used for a variety of purposes across the globe. For example, disaster response teams cannot rely on cell phone towers, because in catastrophic instances infrastructure on the ground can be wiped out. If terrestrial technical support is unavailable, either because of the rural environment or because it’s been damaged, the Iridium 9575 will connect your team without any issues.

The military has trusted Iridium PTT service for years, and is now being offered for civilian use. Iridium Extreme Phones can be used as a critical connection with other PTT phones at the press of a button, acting as a handheld radio with broadcast capability. The Dual Mode Iridium 9575 can be used as a standard satellite phone as well, giving you the benefit of two functions. Iridium’s network of 66 cross linked low Earth orbit satellites ensure that you get a reliable connection anywhere in the world.

Unlike traditional cell phones, this cutting edge device is built for durability and ease of use. This military-grade phone has dust, shock, and jet-water resistance. The display is both glare resistant and can be effortlessly read in daylight. It’s also lightweight, compact, and can be taken anywhere. With the capability to smoothly talk to your group across the world at a push of a button, or use standard global voice calling, SMS, and SOS, all at fast speeds comparable to land to mobile connection, the Iridium 9575 has everything you need to push the limit.

There are endless applications for this sophisticated phone, from Disaster Relief & NGO to World Wide Travel. Where will you take your Iridium 9575?

The First By Land, The Second By Sea

Two of Our Long-Time Power Users

Mike Libecki

Mike Libecki
Longtime customer and friend Mike Libecki is the quintessential example of a Remote Satellite user. Named a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2013, Mike is one of the world’s most respected explorers. Whether hiking through the Northern Arctic or scaling 2,000 ft. cliff faces in Borneo, Mike knows that whenever he needs to call home to his daughter Liliana his Satphone will get the job done.

What does he use?
Mike relies on the Iridium 9575, a small yet durable Portable Satellite phone. While it looks just like an ordinary cellphone, this industrial grade phone can go anywhere Mike can.

Why does he need one?
Libecki’s focus on solo expeditions and solo climbs puts him in a much more dangerous position than the vast majority of explorers. This means that the sat phone he travels with is often his only lifeline, one that absolutely cannot fail.

When does he use it?
Ever the family man, Mike had to learn to find balance between the life of an adventurer and the responsibilities of being a father.

What does he have to say?
“On over 65 expeditions around the world to literally the most remote areas on the planet, I have relied on Remote Satellite Systems International for all of my satellite communications. From satellite phones to Internet in the field, including remote video chatting flawlessly, they have made sure everything has worked flawlessly. From huge National Geographic expeditions to Antarctica, to Discovery Channel in Siberia, and countless other companies that rely on my decisions, I have relied on RSSI to make 100% sure our communications are the last thing I need to worry about and focus on the expedition demands in front of me. Most importantly, they have kept me in touch with my daughter and family from the field, which is the key to my success.”
-Mike Libecki

Roz Savage

Roz Savage
Adventurer and environmentalist Roz Savage doesn’t have much room for error when it comes to emergency communications. Another National Geographic Adventurer of the Year (2010), Roz was the first woman to row solo across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. During her many months navigating from California to Hawaii to Kiribati to Papua New Guinea, Roz’s phone is the only line of communication she has on the open seas.

What does she use?
When needing to speak to someone beside marine mammals, Roz turns to the Iridium 9505A. Lightweight and reliable, this Iridium is small enough to take on a voyage where space is at a premium.

Why does she need it?
The first woman to row solo across three oceans, Roz is always at the mercy of Mother Nature. When the seas start storming, a call for help can be the difference between life and death. Even better, Roz never has to change phone providers when she rows into new country’s waters.

When does she use it?
Whether calling for supplies or finding the next weeks weather forecast, Roz knows she can always rely on her satellite phone, no matter which ocean she sails.

What does she have to say?
“When you’re rowing solo across oceans for months at a time, your Satphone connection is, in a very real sense, a lifeline. Rob and his team provided exemplary service for my Pacific and Indian Ocean crossings, helping me find the best solution for my coms needs, and providing emergency support while I was on the ocean – even on a weekend. I wholeheartedly recommend RSSI to all adventurers, seafarers, and anyone else who needs to stay connected from the remotest parts of our planet.”
-Roz Savage

Creating a Reliable Communications Network in an Unstable Location

Creating a Reliable Communications Network with Satellite Technology

The San Francisco Public Safety Building at Mission Bay is the latest of Remote Satellite’s major contracts. The 264,000-square-foot structure houses the new headquarters for the San Francisco Police Department as well district police and fire stations. Built in anticipation of the Bay Area’s next great earthquake, the building needed to have a reliable communications network in place to be an Emergency Operations Center of which the city can be proud. Remote Satellite was eager to step up to the challenge.

Remote Satellite began by implementing an integrated communications suite within the command center, relying on an 6 foot wide Ku-Band VSAT antenna situated on the building’s roof. By establishing a dual-satellite network, with East and West Coast satellites and Earthstation gateways, wherever disaster strikes communications can be relied on. When the system senses a loss in terrestrial communication capabilities, the antenna will automatically deploy and acquire a connection with a fixed satellite, providing a worry-free line of communication for the EOC. The system allows simultaneous data and voice communications so that vital information can be shared with first responders, all without breaking established lines of contact.

If you’d like to learn more about how to establish your own reliable communications network, or modify an existing one,  please don’t hesitate to send us an email or visit us online at www.remotesatellite.com.

Satellite Systems on Sale

We currently have a variety of bundles, SOS devices, terminals, and satellite systems on sale. Satellite phones and systems are used in a variety of fields, including construction, military, maritime, and research. They allow consistent communication in remote areas, and in case of emergency. Here are four of our featured sale items.

BGAN 9202 FrontRt HR 80593 largeHughs BGAN 9202 Land Portable Terminal – The respected Hughes brand offers a variety of reliable products. This broadband satellite IP terminal offers ISDN, voice, and a Wi-Fi access point. It utilizes the Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) and is the world’s smallest class 2 BGAN terminal, making it highly portable. It’s an ideal emergency and remote access device for first responders, forestry works, oil & gas field workers, public health personnel, and more.

DeLorme inReach SEThe DeLorme inReach SE is a lightweight, affordable tracking and SOS device is an excellent option for high-risk professions or anyone traveling to a remote location with little or no cellular access. It’s a no-nonsense choice, connecting you to friends, family, or work without unnecessary bells and whistles. You can send and receive messages, as well as activate the SOS option if needed. It offers 100% global coverage through the Iridium satellite network, so you’re never out of reach.

Sailor 100 Fleet One – For maritime operations and research, the Sailor 100 Fleet One offers consistent communication no matter where you are. Operating on the reliable Inmarsat I-4 satellites, you’ll be able to access important information and call home from anywhere on the water at a low cost. Commercial fishermen will be able to keep in touch with family, while marine research vessels can keep abreast of current conditions, route planning, and more.

Cobham Explorer 510 (w/Airtime Bundle) – Cobham Explorer 510: This reliable Thane & Thane Explorer BGAN terminal bundle includes everything you need to stay connected anywhere in the world. The terminal weighs less than the average laptop and comes complete with multi-language web server, power supply, Ethernet converter cable, rechargeable lithium ion battery, and more. It’s simple to set up and operate, and can be accessed from your PC, laptop, or smart device. Make calls or access the internet no matter where you are. This bundle includes airtime.

For more information and the full specs for any of these satellite systems products, please click the provided link. If you have any questions, give us a call!

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