Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to avoid natural disasters, but they are an undeniable part of the global community. There is, however, much that can — and should — be done to ensure the recovery process is as efficient as possible, so that economic, political, and social impacts can be limited. Perhaps most critical to the recovery process is ensuring that reliable communication is available as relief efforts are coordinated — a theory that communications giant Ericsson (News - Alert) staunchly supports.

 

In fact, more than a decade ago, Ericsson Response, a program dedicated to developing quicker and more effective response mechanisms in disaster situations, initiated a program called WIDER (Wireless LAN in Disaster and Emergency Response), which sought to provide a communications environment that would enable various relief organizations to maintain secure IP-based and mobile communications as they coordinate their efforts. 

 

The United Nations, of course, has the widest reach of these organizations, and Ericsson has been working in tandem with the U.N. for the past seven years to ensure the infrastructure and guidelines are in place to facilitate effective inter-agency communications when required. Because such communication is integral to the success of relief efforts, Ericsson has now extended its agreement to support the U.N. in those efforts, and will continue to leverage its expertise in communications technology to achieve that goal.

 

To ensure that emergency responders have the appropriate communications capabilities at their disposal, Ericsson will continue to provide a rapidly deployable mobile solution, which will be installed, operated, and maintained by Ericsson employees. The solution will be available for deployment in humanitarian aid operations as necessary. 

 

Because disaster relief efforts enlist the resources of several different organizations, inter-agency communication is critical to the success of such operations. As such, Ericsson, working in tandem with the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), focuses heavily on the rapid deployment of communications services to areas impacted by disasters to maximize the U.N.’s capacity for providing aid in such circumstances, including coordinating the efforts of multiple organizations.

 

“Communications systems are often disrupted by disasters.  Yet, they are essential for humanitarian service providers to share information on priority needs and response plans efficiently,” said John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.  “Ericsson has been a reliable partner of the UN, providing emergency telecommunications services pro bono in the most difficult environments.”

 

WIDER was first developed to provide wireless hotspots and communications solutions between agencies at disaster sites, as well as providing Internet access via satellite. It was first deployed following an October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, which killed more than 70,000 people. That deployment provided wireless network connectivity to an intranet created for communication within the relief organizations’ own networks and among personnel.  That local network was then connected global networks using OCHA’s VSAT system to enable global communications and Internet access.

 

Having witnessed the effectiveness of the solution, and the expertise of the Ericsson Response team in providing technical support, which enabled effective sharing of critical information, OCHA asked Ericsson to make WIDER available for future emergency situations as well.

 

Since then, Ericsson has donated a global system for mobile communications (GSM) to OCHA, to which the U.N. Peacekeeping Operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is currently connected.  In order to ensure maximum effectiveness, Ericsson’s solution has been designed to complements fixed networks as well as radio and satellite connections typically employed in U.N. sponsored efforts. It is installed in Brindisi, Italy, the U.N.’s hub for satellite telecommunications, through which all its aid efforts are connected.

 

By incorporating various communications technologies — WLAN, GSM/GPRS, satellite — Ericsson has made WIDER a solution that can effectively created a communications infrastructure in nearly any situation where other local communications infrastructures have been interrupted — or where there is a lack of infrastructure.

 

“Ericsson Response embodies our corporate values,” said Carl-Henric Svanberg, Ericsson’s president and CEO.  “Whenever and wherever we can, we will use our technology and solutions to support those in need.  This cooperation is line with our long-term commitment and partnership with the United Nations.”