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ITU Sends Satellite Terminals to Chile Following Earthquake (3/2/10)
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) deployed 25 satellite terminals to help restore vital communication links in the aftermath of the massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit Chile 27 February, killing more than 700 people and cutting communications links in the city of Concepción and towns along the coast.
The equipment was airlifted out of Geneva 1 March, and is expected to be deployed on the ground 2 March. ITU is working with Iridium Communications to ensure connectivity for satellite handsets, which will be used by local authorities to facilitate humanitarian assistance to disaster victims. ITU is also striving to source additional equipment from El Salvador and Nicaragua, where it was deployed last year to help those countries restore communications after their own natural disasters.
ITU’s area office in Santiago, Chile, is already providing expert on-the-ground support to local authorities, as well as to the local United Nations (UN) operations center, to coordinate the restoration of damaged communication systems and manage spectrum requirements for the wireless systems used by humanitarian agencies.
“Communications networks were disrupted by this massive earthquake, hampering rescue operations and the delivery of essential logistics and services,” said Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid, director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, “Our assistance will contribute toward the bridging of the current communications gap.”
ITU is providing Iridium satellite phones that can use both satellite and GSM networks, as well as delivering accurate GPS positioning coordinates to aid relief and rescue. ITU covers all expenses relating to transportation, deployment and use of equipment, which will be at the disposal of the authorities in Chile for as long as they require it.
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