NCS Gets SMART With MSV

Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) has announced the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Communications System (NCS) is partnering with MSV to provide Satellite Priority Service to the NCS priority service customers. The NCS, part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Cyber Security and Communications, coordinates the planning and provisioning of national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) communications for Federal, state, and local governments under all emergency circumstances. Under the provisions of the Satellite Priority Service, MSV now provides satellite push-to-talk and priority satellite telephony communications through its distribution alliance with Sprint’s (NYSE:S) Emergency Response Team (ERT). Under this alliance, Sprint ERT will be responsible for nationwide deployment of the Satellite Priority Service for NCS. MSV services provide NCS member agencies and departments, as well as U.S. State and territorial emergency operations centers, an always-on, readily-available means for interoperable communications during emergencies and daily operations that are immune to terrestrial congestion and infrastructure damage. One of the benefits of MSV service available to the NCS is the capability to use satellite mutual aid radio talkgroups (SMART™). The SMART program enables NCS member agencies and departments to participate in nationwide two-way satellite radio talkgroups, improving the ability of departments and agencies to communicate and coordinate quickly and effectively in times of urgent need, regardless of location and infrastructure—Reston, Virginia