5 FAH-2 H-650
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
(CT:TEL-32; 06-25-2012)
(Office of Origin: IRM/BMP/GRP/GP)
(Updated only to revise Office of Origin and some formatting)
5 FAH-2 H-651 GENERAL POLICY
(CT:TEL-12; 03-08-2005)
(Uniform all agencies)
As set forth in 5 FAM 500, all Department domestic
organizations and missions abroad must address telecommunications outages and
recovery actions in their respective contingency plans. IRM supports satellite
communication as a contingency measure in a crisis situation or in the event of
telephone and telegraphic circuit outage. IRM/OPS/ITL/LWS/RPB (IT
Infrastructure, Telecommunications Wireless and Data Services Division, Radio
Programs Branch) manages the satellite program for contingency voice communications
and provides posts with either tactical satellite terminals that use special
military protocols or commercial INMARSAT (International Maritime Satellite
Organization) satellite terminals. DTS-PO provides satellite terminals for
primary or backup data communications.
5 FAH-2 H-652 INMARSAT TERMINALS
(TL:TEL-2; 05-23-2002)
(Uniform all agencies)
a. INMARSAT (International Maritime Satellite
Organization) terminals are digital satellite interfaces that provide
telephone, data, and facsimile communication to and from mobile subscribers
anywhere within the worldwide coverage area of the INMARSAT system, from 70
degrees South to 70 degrees North.
b. INMARSAT terminals modulate voice or data signals
into radio signals, which are transmitted to a pre-selected satellite, then
redirected to an earth station, to the receiving unit and demodulated into
voice or data signals. To a user, the INMARSAT operates like a telephone. The
user can simply pick up the INMARSAT telephone handset and dial the telephone number
of another telephone or a special dialing sequence for another INMARSAT.
5 FAH-2 H-653 CONTINGENCY VOICE
TERMINALS
5 FAH-2 H-653.1 Installation
(TL:TEL-2; 05-23-2002)
(Uniform State/USAID)
IRM personnel at post or a RIMC technician can install the
necessary satellite hardware and peripherals and configure according to post
needs. To use INMARSAT terminals in the secure mode, the units must be
connected to a STE/STU III. Currently, only one INMARSAT site, site 13 in
Canada, supports STE/STU III operations.
5 FAH-2 H-653.2 Testing and
Maintenance
(CT:TEL-12; 03-08-2005)
(Uniform State/USAID)
To ensure the operational readiness of the equipment, IPC
must implement a monthly test schedule of satellite terminals and train key
personnel as directed by post management. If equipment malfunctions, contact
the RIMC or IRM/OPS/ITL/LWS/RPB for troubleshooting or repair/return
instructions. The repair of INMARSAT terminals not under warranty is on a
fee-for-service basis and will be paid for by the appropriate bureau in
accordance with existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or post must
provide fiscal data when returning a terminal for repair services.
5 FAH-2 H-653.3 INMARSAT M Terminal
(TL:TEL-2; 05-23-2002)
(Uniform State/USAID)
a. The Department has deployed various types of
INMARSAT terminals to posts abroad. The INMARSAT M terminal has been the most
widely disseminated because of its overall utility, low cost, and ease of use
in all contingency applications.
b. The M terminal is compact, lightweight, portable,
and housed in a durable, hard plastic briefcase. The bottom piece contains the
main control unit, power supply, telephone handset, antenna-pointing map, and a
panel port for a PC, telephone, fax, AC power and DC power. The detachable lid
functions as an antenna to carry the satellite signal between the satellite and
main control unit.
5 FAH-2 H-653.3-1 Emergency Use
(TL:TEL-2; 05-23-2002)
(Uniform State only)
The Operations Center, S/ES-O, will pay costs associated
with using satellite communications during a crisis, if the post receives prior
authorization from S/ES-O.
5 FAH-2 H-653.3-2 Discretionary
Use
(CT:TEL-00; 03-08-2005)
(Uniform State/USAID)
Posts may use the INMARSAT M terminals without prior
authorization from S/ES-O, but post must pay all
associated costs. Contact DTS-PO for the current per-minute charge. Post must
also pay maintenance charges for repairing damages that exceed
regular deterioration through normal use, as determined by the vendor repair
facility.
5 FAH-2 H-654 CONTINGENCY DATA
TERMINALS
(TL:TEL-2; 05-23-2002)
(Uniform all agencies)
Where DTS-PO has provided and authorized an INMARSAT
system as a backup for posts data communications, DTS-PO will pay the usage
charges for the data communications. Due to the high costs for 64 Kbps
service, on-the-air time should be minimized, unless critical operational
circumstances dictate otherwise, e.g., emergencies and time-critical traffic.
The frequency and duration of INMARSAT activation to support immediate operational
requirements or to process urgent correspondence is at the discretion of the
post. However, this is normally limited to 2 hours over a 24-hour period.
Post should maintain accurate records of INMARSAT activation and on-the-air
time, and be prepared to pay for excessive usage. DTS-PO does not fund voice
or fax, with the exception of that required by the PCC to establish the
INMARSAT data communications link.
5 FAH-2 H-655 THROUGH H-659 UNASSIGNED