Communications Technology - www.ct-digital.com - Interesting Editors Letter

http://www.ct-digital.com

Stressed Networks - Johnathan Tombes - Editor

The seismic energy unleashed along a fault line between North America and Caribbean tectonic plates on January 12 was a sober reminder of the earth’s deadly and hidden powers.

The earthquake that began some 10 miles south-west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, also drew attention to the country’s poverty and weak infrastructure.

Natural disasters can play havoc on life and telecommunications networks. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the earthquake in Haiti destroyed the link to the country’s one undersea fiber optic cable.

In such circumstances, equipment that orbits hundreds of miles above the earth’s surface has a distinct advantage. In news released on January 14, Intelsat said it responded to customer requests for assistance by establishing two networks to provide “critical communication links” supporting parties and relief efforts throughout the country.

More stress relief

Quite apart from geology, human forces also are playing their rol in stressing the business of telecommunications.

Demand for wireless services - - Haiti itself had seen a rise in mobile phone use from 5 percent of its population in 2006 to 35 percent in 2009 - - is fast outpacing revenue growth. As a result, business plans, particularly for mobile data, are under revision; and investors are placing a premium on complementary advertising systems.

(More in the February 2010 Communications Technology [available free and digital online copy] - GLOBAL. BROADBAND. EXCELLENCE)

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Alan Spicer - Radio Amateur KA4UDX

Alan Spicer Telecom / Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net

http://blog.marinetelecom.net

+1 954-683-3426

communications (at) marinetelecom.net

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