Disaster tolerant nationwide wireless network

Outline for Social Technical Plan – Disaster tolerant nationwide wireless network
The United States needs a wireless communication network that can support the needs of its citizens during a time disaster. Today people rely on wireless communication for both safety and security. There is an expectation that they can dial 911 when they need help. However, the need for communication goes much farther than just the ability to dial 911. We use this technology to reach out to others for security. It can be just a quick word of assurance from the baby sitter, or the ability to check on weather before we head out. We rely on wireless communication to keep us safe. This nation needs a wireless communication network that citizen can count on during a time of personal or natural disaster.
Scope - Elements of the social technical plan
• Standards for wireless design that enable fault tolerance
• MANET – Mobile Adhoc Networks
• Wireless priority Service (WPS)
• Cellular Mobile Alert System (CMAS)
• Self Optimizing and Self Organization Networks (SON)
• E911 to support text messaging and data application in addition to voice
• A federal 911 center to handle and support something
• Aggregation of 911 centers from local PSAP to at least statewide centers
Elements that support a disaster tolerant nationwide wireless network
• Social changes where people are more and more relying on these services
• Ethical changes in the expectation of computer systems
o In the past computer and wireless systems have been given a pass on the social ethical requirements of their effectiveness. Ie we don’t treat the development of Twitter the same way we treat the design of a bridge.
• Technical advancements are making the possibilities more probable and cost effective
• Global changes – With the introduction of LTE the world will be on a single communication protocol.
• Side advancements of other technologies – Other more commercially viable technologies will aid in the objective listed above. These objective will get support from other activities.
• Legal – Over time it can be expected that laws will be passed that will start mandating central levels of disaster tolerance
o Katrina order was one example, though it got repealed
 U.S. Court of Appeals for District of Columbia. (2009). CTIA v. FCC Katrina Order Vacated No. 07-1475.(FCC 06-119).
Elements that detract from the development of a disaster tolerant nationwide wireless network
• Economic – The development of a fault tolerant wireless network cost.
o Investment in disaster tolerant systems would not be easy to monetize

• Political – Many of the changes needed have political implications.
o Local 911 centers would loss control and funding
o Power for dispatch would be moved from local to state level
o Elements with the industry will resist government mandates

To achieve the objectives above a few steps or actions can help gain traction
• Seek political support from organizations outside the industry
• Raise awareness of the issues
o Show example of when and where it breaks down
o Write case studies on how and why communication broke down
o Raise awareness to the general end user
• Seek support from those that started with the Katrina order
• Sadly when another disaster occurs political favor and support will help
• Seek support from emergency response organizations
• Start small and invest in the concepts within a single organization
In the 10 to 20 years I would fully expect that there will be good movement towards a nationwide disaster tolerant network. There are forces that will help achieve the objectives even without specific action by industry or government. The key will be the speed and level of safety net that is created. For there to be full success these concepts need to be pulled together into a complete plan. Its growth without a plan can and will create inefficiencies plus it will leave hole within the systems development.