Roadpost supplying MedStar Health with Iridium satellite
services for emergency backup communications
Roadpost’s satellite solutions helping Washington/Baltimore’s
largest healthcare network keep communication lines open during service
disruptions
Toronto, ON (June 27, 2006) – Roadpost Inc., a leader in satellite
communications solutions for global use, has been selected to provide MedStar
Health with emergency Iridium satellite backup communications at each of its
facilities. MedStar Health is the largest healthcare system in the
Baltimore-Washington-DC area. Roadpost is supplying network access, as well as
all required Iridium hardware, including nine multi-channel fixed terminals and
96 mobile handsets, bundled with emergency kits that include extra batteries,
solar chargers and a rugged, waterproof and shockproof carrying case.
The fixed terminals will be installed at MedStar’s hospitals and other
facilities to provide up to four independent channels for incoming and outgoing
satellite calls. These will be interfaced with the buildings’ private branch
exchange (PBX) switching systems.
“As a vital community medical services provider, it is critically important that
we have redundant layers of backup communications,” said Dr. Christopher
Wuerker, M.D., Medical Director for MedSTAR Transport and Co-Chair of Emergency
Preparedness for Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. “The Iridium
in-building systems and portable handsets will ensure uninterrupted
communications if conventional systems are disrupted by a natural disaster or
terrorist attack.”
“MedStar Health is the quintessential example of how satellite services can be
leveraged to address emergency preparedness needs,” said Morris Shawn,
President and CEO of Roadpost. “Roadpost’s flexible approach means that staff
can easily access services on an as-needed basis and be up and running with
little to no disruption. Roadpost is one of the few providers who can deliver
an end to end solution – including Iridium hardware, accessories and services -
that is able to serve organizations’ emergency needs at an affordable rate.”
“The hurricanes that ravaged the U.S. Gulf Coast last year revealed the extreme
vulnerability of fixed landlines and cellular phone networks, leaving many
hospitals and emergency service responders in the affected area unable to
communicate with each other or with the outside world,” said Greg Ewert,
Executive Vice President of Iridium Satellite. “MedStar, like many other
medical service providers, is looking to Iridium as a key component in their
disaster preparedness and emergency response plans.”
About MedStar Health
MedStar Health (www.medstarhealth.org)
is a $2.7 billion non-profit healthcare organization and a community-based
network of seven hospitals and other healthcare services in the
Baltimore-Washington region. The hospitals, which include both teaching and
community facilities, are Franklin Square Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital,
Harbor Hospital and Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, and Georgetown
University Hospital, National Rehabilitation Hospital and Washington Hospital
in the District of Columbia. MedStar Health is based in Columbia, Md., and as
the area’s largest health system is one of its largest employers, with more
than 23,000 employees and 4,600 affiliated physicians.
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is
the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with
complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions).
Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas
where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation
consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has
multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network
and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium
service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation,
government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and
gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to
the U.S. Department of Defense. The company also designs, builds and sells its
services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100
partners.
About Roadpost Inc.
Founded in 1991, Roadpost (www.roadpost.com)
provides customized global communications to individuals and corporations. The
company’s comprehensive portfolio includes International Cellular, Global
Satellite, International BlackBerry and Worldwide Internet services providing
complete global coverage, no matter where the destination. Alliances with
industry leaders such as O2, Transatel, Swisscom, Telecom Italia Mobile,
Vodafone, China Mobile, TIM Hellas, Bell Mobility, Telus Mobility, France
Telecom Mobile Services, Iridium, iPass, Research in Motion, Motorola and Nokia
allow Roadpost to deliver reliable and secure communications with the largest
network of worldwide coverage.
Contact: Cathy-Anne O’Brien, Xposure PR Inc., (416) 691-5206,
cathyanne@xposurepr.com.