OASIS communications systems

The need for a satellite-based communications system grew out of California´s experiences in several disasters. The state learned that the public telephone network was vulnerable to overloading from having too many people using the system. (Vulnerability of central offices and other switching components is secondary. Telephone companies have taken significant steps to reduce their risk of service interruption.) Moreover, the state´s microwave system was vulnerable to quake damage and had limited capacity. Considering this, the Governor´s Office of Emergency Services (OES) established requirements for a satellite system that would have a low risk to geologic hazards and would be independent of the public telephone system. The operational area satellite information system (OASIS), designed and installed by Hughes Network Services (HNS), meets these requirements. This paper discusses the system and its status