RSS
European Commission To Fly In Emergency SMS Messages By Helicopter
from the didn't-they-try-something-like-this-in-Independence-Day? dept
We've noted in the past that mobile operators continue to have problems delivering text messages at times, calling into question the wisdom of using SMS to deliver emergency messages. A new European Commission project hopes to get around the problem of natural disasters or other events disrupting SMS delivery by sending text messages via helicopter. Basically, it sounds like they're strapping a cellular base station and some other network equipment to a chopper, so they can disseminate alerts and emergency information to people in a given area. It's an interesting project, and one that could be potentially useful, since a lack of communications infrastructure is often one of the biggest obstacles to overcome in a disaster zone. However, this seems like it's more focused on one-way, top-down communications, rather than providing a replacement infrastructure allowing two-way communication. It's a good start, though, and hints at possible future solutions. Perhaps there is a future for stratellites after all...
8 Comments | Leave a Comment..
- Congress Trying To Regulate Certain Wireless Spectrum Issues... In A Payroll Tax Bill?
- Verizon Wireless: Paying Online Is More Convenient, So Now You Have To Pay $2 To Do So [Updated]
- Is Verizon Wireless Violating Its Promise To Be Open By Blocking Google Wallet?
- Innovation In Wireless: The Disruption In Connectivity
- Wireless Carriers Finally Cave On Overage Fees; Reluctantly Agree To Stop Treating Customers Like ATMs
Reader Comments (rss)
(Flattened / Threaded)
balloon
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
balloon
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
----------------------------------------------
"Progress is the exchange of one set of nuisances for another."
Murphy
---------------------------------------
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
peer to peer
http://davidbrin.blogspot.com/2007/01/designed-to-let-us-down-our.html
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
I don't get it.
And for communication between emergency workers, a helicopter-mounted FM repeater might be more use.
"The more sophisticated the infrastructure, the more fragile it is." -- too true, and when the shit really hits the fan they usually end up relying on Amateur Radio Operators with very simple and very reliable SSB or FM radio equipment.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re: I don't get it.
Radio is definitly the way to go for both respects
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
the military does it already
the best example is the quickfix:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/quickfix.htm
which is basically a sophisticated intelligence platform in a helicopter. they use them to intercept and jam enemy communications.
choppers make good short term/short range communications platforms. they are easier to put up than a fixed antenna, easier to move, and you can expand coverage by adding more choppers.
the downside is that choppers are expensive to keep in the air long term. they require crews and tons of fuel compared to ground based communicaitons equipment.
a more ecconomical solution would be an unmanned aerial vehicle like the airforce's predator:
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/predator
presumably a cellular signal booster is lighter and uses less energy than the quickfix gear, so you could keep the UAVs in the air longer and they would cost less to operate.
either way, using aircraft as makeshift antennas is no substitute for mobile, gound based infrasturcture. trucks and generators are cheaper to build and operate and can run for much longer.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re: the military does it already
Choppers are so much sexier than trucks - they have whirly blades and the pilots say things like 'roger' and everything
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Add Your Comment