Two-Way Satellite Internet
Dishes Used on Ground Zero

New York City, September 2001


Robert Zohn & Al Maldonado, DIRECWAY 2-Way Certified Installers, have set up satellite Internet systems at several New York City buildings near Ground Zero that lost Internet and phone service due to the terrorist attack.

Securing the continuity of company IT processes is as important as securing physical security of  the assets and staff. Usually for this purpose, corporations put in place redundant hardware and software. Also, the redundant network capacity is being leased, preferably from a different backbone provider.

All that sounds like a good plan. We fully support you in your planning. What we suggest as an additional layer of security for your Business Continuity in case of a disaster is diversification of your network carrier. DIRECWAY service offers high-speed Internet access that is "always on" and requires no phone line or ISP.

Photos taken on the 35^th floor roof of building next to the World Trade Center - Ground Zero.

Update September 2002 - Systems still delivering broadband service to their owners!

Command Module with Mobile Satellite Intrnet Connection

Early in the afternoon on September 11th, our personnel contacted the directorate on behalf of the state government. This time the call was not to schedule briefings and technology demonstrations, but for the potential deployment of the mobile satellite terminal. In the extreme uncertainty and chaos following those first few hours after the attack, all available resources would have to be ready to respond in a moment's notice if needed. State officials thought the mobile sat-Internet terminal would be an ideal solution to back up or replace lost or inadequate communications assets needed for disaster recovery efforts. The mobile terminal could support a wide range of communications requirements using a high data rate Internet connection with both transmit and receive throughputs of up to 15 Mb/s.

50 installed laptops and flat-panel displays donated by HP, are prepared in the unit for transport to the affected region. Fully self-contained, the trailer is outfitted with a 110kw diesel generator, HVAC systems and, most importantly, a Tachyon Satellite Internet system capable of providing 45 high-speed connections, enabling network connectivity where it would otherwise be unavailable. The tractor-trailer, which expands to a 1,000-square-foot computing center, also served as a command module at Ground Zero in New York after September 11, 2001. Every individual and organization in the United States is capable of providing assistance to this unprecedented catastrophe in their own way. While the material, service and in-kind contributions from satellite internet equipment vendors and HP certainly empowered the effort, it is the personal sacrifice of the crew that makes this mission possible.