ICD Functions

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Wireless Priority Service (WPS)
Lt Col Joanne Sechrest Mgr, Wireless Priority
Service DHS/ IAIP/ NCS joanne.sechrest_at_dhs.gov 7
03.607.4960 http//www.ncs.gov
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Outline

• Overview
• Criteria
• Operational Concept
• Cost
• How to Order
• Special Purpose Communications
• Contact Information

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Problem Network Congestion

• Congestion,at many points, can block a call !

ATT MCI SPRINT
Local Exchange Networks
Local Exchange Networks
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Wireless Priority Service (WPS) Attack on
America, Sep 11, 2001

• During peak, wireless traffic increased
  by 50 to 100 percent nationwide
• One wireless carriers traffic ballooned by
  400 percent in Washington and 1,000 percent in
  a NY area switching center
• Urgent requirement for wireless
  priority access

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Solution Wireless Priority Service
Add-on feature to your existing cell service
Wireline Networks
Mobile Switch
Mobile Switch
Dial 272 and the destination number Call
queues for next available radio channel
For cell and landline congestion Dial 272 and
GETS access number, enter PIN, and dial
destination number
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Who is Eligible to Use WPS?

• More narrow than GETS eligibility
• Persons in NS/EP leadership positions, key staff,
  and key locations
• Applicable at all levels Federal, State,
  Regional, Municipal, Industry

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Nationwide Initial Operating Capability
Dial 272 dest. send
If dest. is long distance
272 Dest
Mobile Switch
Mobile Switch
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WPS IOC Limitations

• IOC provided one major capability priority to
  cell tower (only)
• Cell tower access is the major cause of blockage
  for localized hot spot congestion
• Tanker truck overturned on expressway.
• During wide area event, IOC capability got the
  radio channel but did not overcome congestion in
  the rest of the mobile network.
• Large area chemical spill. Large area blackout.
• FOC corrects these limitations

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Nationwide Full Operating Capability
Dial 272 dest. send
Congestion No radio channel
If dest. is long distance
Call gets to congested switch
272 Dest
Or
If dest. is mobile in another MSC
If dest. is local mobile
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How Do You Use WPS?

• When you need to make an official call, and you
  encounter congestion, retry your call but prefix
  your dialed number with 272
• e.g. 272 703 555-1234
• Everything else is automatic your call will
  queue for up to 30 seconds, grabbing the next
  channel
• If landline networks are also congested, utilize
  272 plus the GETS access number to get priority
  in both wireless and landline networks

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Nationwide WPS Program

• GSM carriers
• T-Mobile FOC complete
• ATT Wireless FOC Aug 04 Dec 04
• Cingular FOC Jul 04 Dec 04
• Nextel IOC complete

GSM FOC complete by Dec 05!

• CDMA Carriers (Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS)
  estimated to be added in 2006

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WPS Modeled Performance
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General Caveats

• WPS is a digital service it will not work on an
  analog network
• WPS will work when roaming on a network partner
  carrier only if that network also has WPS
  capability
• WPS will queue in a destination cellular network
  only if that network has WPS capability
• WPS will not send location data to a 9-1-1 call

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WPS Cost

• WPS feature subscription rates
• Not more than 10 one-time activation fee
• Not more than 4.50 monthly service fee
• Not more than 0.75 per minute for WPS calls
• Available on numerous Government contracts
• See specific contract information on the
  Carriers portion of the WPS website
  (wps.ncs.gov)

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Is Your Agency Prepared?

• Where can WPS augment existing emergency
  communications capabilities?
• Do your key leaders and decision makers need WPS?
• Do you incorporate WPS into emergency plans and
  exercises?

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WPS - Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands
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How Do You Order WPS?
Step 2 Identify individuals and functions to
have WPS. Identify existing phone numbers
Step 3 Establish on-line account

• Step 1 - Establish a POC
• - Find out if your organization has a WPS Point
  of Contact work with your POC to add services
• - If no POC, assign a Program Lead with the
  authority and time to implement
• - Recommend combined GETS/WPS POC

Step 4 Order WPS thru on-line system
Step 5 If you already have phone service, WPS is
turned on in 3-5 days
Step 6 Update emergency plans and drills to
include WPS
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Secure Communications

• Sectera phone allows secure communications on GSM
  networks
• Sectera is a modified Motorola P-280
• Secure module makes unit about ¼ inch thicker
• Phone has a voice number, data number, and fax
  number
• Users acquire phone through National Security
  Agency contract
• Service is arranged through your carrier
  representative

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Satellite Backup

• Satellite phones provide additional backup when
  cellular or landline service is not available for
  any reason
• Not just for rural environments
• Good example power outages make office private
  branch exchanges (PBXs) inoperable, and outages
  that last for more than several hours can exhaust
  backup power supplies at cell towers
• Carriers include Globalstar, Iridium, Inmarsat,
  etc.
• Can be utilized as handheld mobile sets, in
  vehicles with mobile or fixed installations, and
  in structures with fixed antenna units

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WPS Web Site
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WPS Contact Information
WEBSITES http//wps.ncs.gov
MAILING ADDRESS OMNCS P. O. Box 4502 Arlington,
VA 22204-4502
E-MAIL wps_at_ncs.gov

• TELEPHONE
• Information/Sign-Up
• 1-866 NCS-CALL (627-2255) or 703 676-2255
• (Option 2 for WPS)
• Trouble Reporting (24x7)
• 1-800-818-4387
• Or 703-818-4387

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