LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2015--
The 25 April 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal and subsequent
aftershocks have disrupted last mile communications to communities with
millions of people needing medical and other relief support. Intelsat
(NYSE: I) has donated its satellite services to two organizations making
a difference in the region: the American Red Cross working in
partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross & Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Team Rubicon. These organizations are
deploying satellite-based broadband networks to support critical medical
and logistical operations in the region.
The Red Cross network is utilizing capacity on Intelsat 906 located at
64° E, linking via the IntelsatOne® terrestrial network at Intelsat’s
Fuchsstadt, Germany Teleport to support internet and Voice over Internet
Phone (VoIP) service to remote hospitals in Nepal, providing field aid
workers with connectivity that improves safety, morale and peace of mind
in the wake of the disaster.
"With the connectivity provided by Intelsat, the global Red Cross and
Red Crescent network is better able to deliver relief to tens of
thousands of people dealing with the effects of the earthquake that
killed thousands and injured many more in Nepal,” said David Meltzer,
General Counsel and Chief International Officer at the American Red
Cross. “Communications are key to the global relief effort underway and
being able to provide voice and data connectivity between Nepal and the
rest of the world is a critical tool in our disaster relief work."
Separately, Intelsat is also supporting a network established by Team
Rubicon, a disaster response organization that unites the skills and
experiences of military veterans with first responders to deploy
emergency response teams, to further aid in their relief efforts. Team
Rubicon brought medical supplies and sent several teams to aid the
Nepalese people.
“When a natural disaster occurs, broadband connectivity is an essential
component to ensuring that relief organizations are able to identify and
prioritize the needed services and resources as they deliver aid to
those impacted by the tragic event,” said Kurt Riegelman, Intelsat
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “Given the nature of
satellite technology and our global fleet, we are able to deliver the
rapid response and deployment of critical communications necessary to
support organizations as they provide needed assistance to those
impacted. Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and the men and
women from all over the world who are coming to their aid.”
Additional Resources
Photo:
A member of the Japanese Red Cross uses a VSAT-enabled phone in support
of a field hospital in a remote portion of Nepal
Photo:
American Red Cross IT-Telecommunications Emergency Response Unit (ERU)
member in Dhunche, Nepal
About Intelsat
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) is the world’s leading provider of satellite
services, delivering high performance connectivity solutions for media,
fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, enterprise and government and
military applications. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fiber
infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for
transmissions of video and broadband services. From the globalization of
content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular
networks and mobile broadband access, with Intelsat, envision your
future network, connect using our leading satellite technology and
transform your opportunities.
Envision…Connect…Transform…with Intelsat. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.
About American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to
victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the United States'
blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international
humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The
Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers
and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For
more information, please visit www.redcross.org
or on Twitter at @RedCross.
About Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon's primary mission is providing disaster relief between the
moment a disaster happens and the point at which conventional aid
organizations respond by uniting the skills and experiences of military
veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response
teams. Team Rubicon seeks to provide U.S. military veterans with three
things they lose after leaving the military: a purpose, gained through
disaster relief; community, built by serving with others; and
self-worth, from recognizing the impact one individual can make. For
more information, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150518005244/en/
Source: Intelsat
Intelsat
Michele Loguidice
Director, Investor Relations
& Corporate Communications
703-559-7372
Michele.loguidice@intelsat.com