GETS WPS presentation 08 30 2007

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National Security/Emergency Preparedness Priority Telecommunications Services Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) Wireless Priority Service (WPS) John F Dinneen Outreach Coordinator NCS Priority Telecommunications Services john.dinneen@associates.dhs.gov 214.797.3399 www.ncs.gov 30 August 2007 National Communications System

National Communications System: 

2 National Communications System The NCS works with the telecommunications industry to develop and deploy National Security and Emergency Preparedness Telecommunications Services Priority telecommunications services are available to qualifying federal, state, local, and tribal government, and industry organizations

Problem: During an Emergency, Mass Calling Causes Network Congestion: 

3 Problem: During an Emergency, Mass Calling Causes Network Congestion Congestion at many points! Public Network Demonstration

Solutions: The GETS Calling Card and Wireless Priority Service: 

4 Solutions: The GETS Calling Card and Wireless Priority Service GETS is an emergency calling card service that can be used from virtually any telephone to provide priority for emergency calls WPS is an add-on feature subscribed on a per cell phone basis – works with existing cell phones in WPS equipped networks

Hurricane Rita and the Texas Coast Evacuation: 

5 Hurricane Rita and the Texas Coast Evacuation Evacuation ordered by Texas officials Heavy public calling out of area to families, friends, hotels Once the evacuation was underway, motorists made extraordinarily heavy use of Cell Phones TELCO networks invoked Automatic Network Management Controls – limiting inbound traffic Calls into 7 Area Codes get “Fast Busy” during the 3 days before Hurricane Rita impacted the coast GETS and WPS Ý272 calls to Texas Gulf Coast went through immediately from NCS North Texas location every time Network Congestion!

Recent GETS/WPS Experience: 

6 Recent GETS/WPS Experience During the period 29 Aug – 9 Sep, there were 32,829 GETS calls into or out of the Gulf Coast region. 95% routed successfully. There were 3200* attempted WPS calls of which 394 (12%) were placed in queue (* excludes Cingular Orange) Hurricane Katrina (29 August 2005) Hurricane Rita (23 September 2005) 21 Sept – 23 Sept: calls to Area Codes 713, 281, 409, 361, 936, 832 and 979 (South Texas) often required use of GETS or WPS Over 96% of GETS and WPS calls into and within the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast area completed successfully Alabama Tornados (1 March 2007) GETS needed by State EOC to contact State AG WPS needed to complete official calls on following day from Eneterprise AL

GETS Overview : 

7 GETS Overview Dial GETS Access Number from any phone (1-710-627-4387) .. 2. Network routes call to a GETS Carrier. As you are prompted, enter your PIN then Destination Number 3. Network routes your call to the Destination Number Public Network Use GETS whenever you hear a fast busy signal, “All circuits busy” announcement, or otherwise cannot complete your call

Making a GETS Call: 

8 Making a GETS Call GETS Access Number Toll Free number for each GETS carrier (backup) Toll Free User Assistance number (24x7) 12 Digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) Dial GETS Access Number Listen for tone, then enter your PIN (do not enter # after last digit) Listen for voice prompt: “Please enter your destination number now.” Enter the destination number (omit the 1 before the area code) You will hear an announcement “You are using GETS, AT&T/MCI/Sprint” Network will route your call to the destination telephone number User Name and Organization Periods of silence are normal – particularly if call is queued during heavy congestion. Calls may take 30 to 90 seconds to complete

WPS Overview: 

9 WPS Overview 1. WPS is an add-on feature subscribed on a per-cell phone basis – works with existing cell phones in WPS equipped networks 2. To make a WPS call, enter Ý272 followed by the Destination Number then press SEND WPS addresses congestion in the wireless segment of the network – most importantly the local radio access channel Ý272 703 818 4387

How WPS Works: 

10 How WPS Works WPS adds Radio Channel Queuing between the mobile phone and base station and High Probability of Completion (HPC) features to Cellular Networks

Making a WPS Call: 

11 Making a WPS Call Periods of continuous ringing and/or silence may occur – particularly if call is queued at several points during heavy congestion. Calls may take 30 to 90 seconds to complete

Budgeting for Priority Services: 

12 Budgeting for Priority Services GETS No charge for GETS cards For organizations outside the Federal government, billing information is required to establish an account for GETS calls (@10 cents/min). You will not normally be billed for: Calls to confirm receipt of individual GETS cards Test calls to the familiarization line (703-818-3924) Legitimate GETS usage in response to emergencies WPS Ordered on a per-phone basis through the NCS Now available: cellularsouth, Cingular/AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile, SouthernLINC Per phone charge not to exceed $4.50/month and a $10 one-time set-up, plus no more than 75 cents per minute when WPS is invoked Billed by the carrier on the cell phone invoice

Who Should have GETS/WPS: 

13 Who Should have GETS/WPS

Order GETS and WPS on-line: 

14 Order GETS and WPS on-line Note: POC’s are already established for most Federal government organizations

Managing GETS and WPS: 

15 Managing GETS and WPS Establish an appropriate number of POC accounts for your organization Some cities/counties have 1 POC, others have separate POCs for Police, Fire, EOC, etc. You can add/consolidate POC accounts and change POCs as needs dictate Issue GETS cards with NCS provided User and Pocket Guides Individuals: emphasize need to carry card at all times Location/Functions: place card in accessible location with instructions After WPS activation contact each user to confirm that WPS is working by having them make a test call Be sure each user regularly makes GETS/WPS test calls Use the on-line system to review GETS usage, perform administrative tasks, and to place orders or cancel GETS and WPS Be sure to include GETS and WPS in your emergency procedures and exercises

Resources: 

16 Resources For more information: www.ncs.gov www.gets.ncs.gov www.wps.ncs.gov www.tsp.ncs.gov For Assistance setting up on-line Accounts and ordering: Priority Telecommunications Service Center: 1-866-627-2255 8am to 6pm Eastern Time follow voice prompts for each service Regional Outreach Coordinator – South John F. Dinneen 214.797.3399 John.dinneen@associates.dhs.gov National Communications System

Using GETS and WPS during an Emergency: 

17 Using GETS and WPS during an Emergency See back of GETS card for GETS and WPS Instructions * May need to dial 9 or other code for outside line

Order GETS and WPS on-line: 

18 Order GETS and WPS on-line Identify a Point of Contact (POC) and Alternate to manage GETS/WPS for your organization Have POC/Alternate POC go to www.gets.ncs.gov Select first time requestor on left-side menu; then state, local, and tribal government Follow step by step instructions to establish Point of Contact Account for POC and Alternate. They will receive User IDs, Passwords, and personal GETS cards within 10 days POC and Alternate should review GETS/WPS information on Websites, familiarize themselves with on-line ordering system, and make GETS test calls Determine which individuals, locations, and functions need GETS and WPS (use GETS/WPS User Data Sheet available from Outreach Coordinators) POC/Alternate orders users’ GETS and WPS on-line GETS cards with instructions are mailed to POC’s address WPS subscription activation is confirmed by email to POC Note: Federal POC’s are already established for some organizations

How GETS Works: 

19 How GETS Works Calling Party Called Party