'Crisis Connectivity Charter’ Recognized with Industry Award

4 December 2018

LONDON– The Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) last night awarded the Better Satellite World Awardto the signatories of the Crisis Connectivity Charterto recognize the Crisis Connectivity Charteras a key mechanism created between the satellite industry and the wider humanitarian community to make satellite-based communications more readily available to humanitarian first responders and affected communities.

The Secretaries General of ESOA and GVF commented, “Satellites are often the only solution available at times of disaster and their ‘always on’ capability enables disaster responders to quickly restore life-saving communications. As one of the first industrial sectors to make concrete commitments for disaster response, the charter signatories appreciate SSPI’s recognition and hopes it will spur greater use of life-saving satellite services and equipment by the humanitarian sector.” 

When activated by the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), the Charterwill foster more efficient coordination between the satellite industry, local governments, non-government organizations (NGOs) and the broader humanitarian community in the initial stages of a disaster, allowing for better communication planning, increased connectivity and support to emergency responses.

The Charterdonation agreements provide 3-months free-of-charge bandwidth for humanitarian purposes during disaster responses utilizing pre-positioned satellite equipment at WFP warehouses around the world for rapid deployment. Charter signatories have also committed to provide training for the humanitarian community on the use and deployment of satellite connectivity equipment.

The entities recognised by the award are Arabsat, Eutelsat, Global Eagle, Hispasat, Inmarsat, Intelsat, SES, Thuraya, Yahsat, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and as coordinating entities, EMEA Satellite Operators Association (ESOA) and the Global VSAT Forum (GVF).

 

▶︎ PR_Better_Satellite_Award_1.pdf