PRESS RELEASE KATRINA EXPERIENCE SHOWS VALUE OF INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS, SHIPCOM SAYS (MOBILE, SEPTEMBER 26, 2005) The experience of operating its equipment during the stressful conditions that accompanied Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath demonstrated the strengths of a new interoperability system developed by ShipCom LLC, a Mobile, Alabama-based company that specializes in ship-to- shore and emergency communications. According to Rene Stiegler, president of ShipCom and also of the Interoperability Technologies Group (ITG), "Prior to, during and following Katrina’s assault the Gulf Coast, ShipCom and the Interoperability Technology Group implemented their Smart Network Platform (SNP) interoperability solution and provided the needed seamless communication links among local, state, and federal agencies and other emergency services. Stiegler said the agencies that benefited from the SNP included FEMA, the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, FBI, and state and local law enforcement and emergency management agencies in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. He added that the "provision of interoperability services using SNP does not require any changes in the currently deployed radio communication systems. We used our SNP interoperability solution to communicate with Coast Guard aircraft traveling to ATC Mobile and from there to the areas affected by Katrina in support of the US Coast Guard when their system was damaged by Katrina" Stiegler said. Looking to the future, Stiegler announced that, "SNP has now been installed in a L3 mobile communications van that can be easily driven to where it is most needed. Our thought is to have the van deployed wherever there is a communications deficit. The van can provide telephone and internet connectivity. Forty lines or signals are currently installed in addition to the radio communications capability (including HF, VHF, and UHF). Video and cellular capacity is also available and the number of lines or radio links is easily expanded to serve situational requirements." ITG is the developer of the core SNP technology that connects any communication system to any other communication system for integrated emergency response. ShipCom, a member of the Interop Group is the only US provider of HF/VHF ship-to-shore voice and data service. L3 is a large defense contractor and affiliate of ITG. Stiegler added that "with this L3 van, ShipCom can even offer communications to individuals in distress, including those seeking assistance from FEMA and other government agencies. We can put up a tent, chairs, tables, telephone and internet connectivity, whatever is necessary to provide for the comfort and security of citizens who need to use the van’s services." Rene Stiegler is available for media interviews on communications interoperability and emergency communications solutions. He can be reached by email at info@shipcom.com. For more information about the Interoperability solution, a link to the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s story on ShipCom’s contribution to search-and-rescue operations during and after Katrina, or general information about ShipCom services, visit http://www.ShipCom.com. CONTACT: Rene Stiegler of ShipCom LLC, 251-666-5110 URL: http://www.ShipCom.com Return to News & Resources Return to Top

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