Mind the Gap

During the recent Satellite 2009 conference, my colleagues and I heard a lot of questions about emerging technologies, most of which began with “why” and “how.” The nature of the technology begs these questions. We need to see it and feel it to get a sense of whether a specific technology will meet our needs.

First, let’s address “why.” Does your government organization have leadership or staff who travels around the globe, but still need to communicate quickly, safely and securely back to the main office or other constituents? As an example, dependable and secure connectivity for the military in hostile environments or rough terrains is mission critical. In cases such as this, there is no room or time for guesswork, and that’s where secure data connections with access to phone, email and even videoconferencing are tantamount to quick, efficient and effective decision-making.

So, we’ve established why a satellite technology might meet a need for your mission, so the next question is “how.” The last thing any organization needs is a lot of extra, bulky equipment that is difficult to set up and use. That’s where BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) comes into the picture. As small and lightweight as a laptop, BGAN offers the ability to connect to the Internet, use a handheld phone, stream video and videoconference from anywhere in the world with a set-up time of approximately three minutes. Imagine the ability to send pictures in real-time and access decision-makers anywhere and anytime from anywhere in the world. You don’t need a huge satellite antenna stuck on your backpack to do that.

Click here to view a BGAN instruction video.

BGAN enables voice, web browsing, videoconferencing applications and more from anywhere on the planet. Can your organization do that now?

Jack Deasy, Director of Civil Government Programs