February 15, 2010 – HOUSTON, TX, San Antonio, Texas – SkyPort and EchoStar are proud to announce the launch of SEON (Satellite Emergency Operations Network) a comprehensive satellite based communications solution developed specifically to meet the demanding needs of our Nations first responders such as National Guard, Homeland Security, State organizations and many other stake holders involved in responding to critical and emergency events. The SEON solution was developed based specifically on both the design and more important, the operational criteria of the Nations leading emergency response groups such as the National Guard and numerous state and local emergency management agencies.

Public safety is the highest priority during natural disasters. With over 250 million citizens potentially impacted across high risk States, and with 20,000 disaster support agencies involved in some 230 natural disasters in the past 5 years, the stakes are extremely high. The lessons learned have forced agencies to look outside of their comfort zone and truly assess the requirements to provide for the continuity of operations when much of the infrastructure is in a state of failure and destruction. SkyPort has been honored and privileged to serve many organizations for the past five years and has developed the SEON solution to meet the exact requirements of their mission.

The design of SEON provides satellite capacity when you need it and where you need it. A set of equipment standards has been developed to ensure ubiquity and interoperability among all stake holders. Cost of ownership was a critical factor in the design and the SEON solution is able to effectively reduce costs of most organizations while, at the same time increase access to satellite capacity. Equipment financing packages have been developed to ensure every budget can be accommodated. The SEON total communications solution significantly improves the redundancy and scalability of the satellite communications platform for the safety and security of all citizens. The features of a satellite based communications platform provide a unique and important method for public safety officials to plan around the hazards of traditional earth-based infrastructures that can be susceptible to failure due to natural and man-made catastrophes.

Effective communication is a critical requirement for those who are ultimately responsible for bringing sense and order to chaotic events. First responders must be able to communicate with each other as well as within their chain of command in order to effectively respond. Emergency Management agencies must be able to manage and control their field resources as well as be able to communicate their needs, situational status and plans to the rest of the world. This requires a complete kit of communication resources, a Satellite Emergency Operations Network, it requires SEON.

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