Wi-Max Deployed in Katrina Disaster Area 139
Spy Handler writes "In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina's destruction of telecom infrastructure in New Orleans, officials are turning to wireless broadband for use by government workers. Intel, a key backer of WiMax, and Cisco are donating wireless equipment to aid disaster workers. This could be a good opportunity to replace an antiquated system of copper wires with brand-new technology." From the article: "Shakouri and other industry experts contend that the devastation of Hurricane Katrina offers a chance to build the sort of modern network that phone and cable companies have promised for years. Such a network -- whether wireless or fiber-optic -- could deliver movies or medical records at speeds hundreds of times faster than current Internet connections. Telecom executives and analysts, though, aren't so sure it's the right time or place."
Truth is (Score:5, Interesting)
Just think how good it sounds to have two tech companies donating tech to relief efforts. NOw, if only FEMA would get with the times and realize that not everyone uses windows/IE...
Big Fan (Score:4, Interesting)
These products operate in the unlicensed 2.4GHz ISM band, or the licensed 2.3 GHz WCS, 2.5/2.6 GHz ITFS/MMDS, and 3.4/3.5 GHz WLL bands. Guess who owns the licensed spectrum - that's right, Bell South....big fan indeed.
Re:Truth is (Score:5, Insightful)
So, they're donating it.
Re:Truth is (Score:3, Insightful)
Believe me- I understand that sentiment. But you have to figure that a lot of people (who had them) lost their computers along with their homes and the rest of their belongings. So I assume FEMA will set up trailers with computers, rooms at shelters with computers, send people to libraries etc. Every library (with the rare exception of a few Macs) has had windows machines. And if you are going to deploy mobile compu
Re:Truth is (Score:2, Insightful)
Peter Kuhn
Lakeland Florida
doublewidetrailer@gmail.com
Re:Truth is (Score:2)
Re:Truth is (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Truth is (Score:3, Funny)
please enjoy this popup donation!
Re:Truth is (Score:2)
Re:Truth is (Score:1)
Re:Truth is (Score:2)
Bayer gave millions in medical supplies as well as money. Kellogg sent truckfulls of cookies and crackers. The list goes on. By your logic, none of those were donated.
Mesh infrastructure (Score:2, Interesting)
http://www.the-bains.us/ [the-bains.us]
Nice move (Score:1, Troll)
Re:Nice move (Score:5, Informative)
OK, so Bill Gates isn't actually Microsoft, per se - but he's personally holding a lot of the stock and cash that has resulted from their growth. I'm sure it pains you to know that he's donated, personally, a fortune to relief and charities. Just one donation (the largest in history) was $5 Billion towards malaria relieft and innoculation of children. The Gates foundation has already donated $1.5 million towards hurricane relief this week (mostly through the red cross).
As for Microsoft itself, you might want to at least spend a couple of moments reading [microsoft.com] before you assume they're doing nothing. They have already lined up $9 Million in cash and donations in IT systems to help the local governments impacted by the storm. They're matching their employees' donations - and those people have collectively put up over a million as well. They've deployed three satellite communications busses in Baton Rouge and Mississippi, and are working directly with Intel and Cisco on support of Red Cross operations.
There are two predictable things, here. One - that since MS routinely does these things, they are doing it now, too - whether or not the press mentions it. And two - that it would of course never get a posting on slashdot, just on principle.
Re:Nice move (Score:2)
Re:Nice move (Score:2, Funny)
I'd rather they spent that money on code review. (Score:1)
Re:Nice move (Score:2, Informative)
Re:"steve balmer charity" - did not match any docu (Score:2)
Re:Nice move (Score:2, Informative)
http://katrinasafe.org/ [katrinasafe.org]
and I know personally they have been donating their expertise via conference calls and software licenses for PCs for shelters. And possibly in other ways as well; I've been too busy lately to keep dibs on Microsoft.
I live in the affected area and I am a volunteer for the Red Cross.
Surely anything helps? (Score:4, Insightful)
*Waits* (Score:3, Funny)
Re:*Waits* (Score:2, Insightful)
Companies: Here's X amount of (free new technology)/(food)/(tp). PLease distribute it and make use of it. FEMA: NO! We're gonna do it our way!!! That's the way the people want it!
Re:*Waits* (Score:5, Insightful)
Point being, if the help can't be deployed in a way that makes progress, it's better to turn it away than have it sit on the shelf useless or, worse, have it detract from other aid efforts that are more productive.
Re:*Waits* (Score:1)
I agree, but some of the "rejected aid" were also people who could help organise/rebuild..
Re:*Waits* (Score:2)
Re:*Waits* (Score:2)
They're already rejected the 500,000 ration packs sent by the UK (And apparently other packs from other EU countries), as they "might be contaminated with BSE". What bollocks.
Re:*Waits* (Score:3, Interesting)
It hone
Re:*Waits* (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:*Waits* (Score:2)
Re:*Waits* (Score:5, Interesting)
Cuba has a surplus of doctors. In spite of (or because of) a "one party" system, one of the things that Cuba does well is provide good health care for its people. Cuba regularly sends hundreds of doctors abroad (and yes, they speak english). I have encountered them in South Africa and countries in South America.
Cuba has basic health indicators that are as good as or better than the USA. This includes life expectancy, immunization (better than USA), infant mortality rate (better than USA), maternal mortality rate (better than USA).
This is a genuine offer of support from Cuba but we know the US will reject it for political reasons.
Re:*Waits* (Score:2)
Re:*Waits* (Score:2)
Secretary Condoleeza Rice, after consulting with the White House, "has made it clear that we will accept all offers of foreign assistance," [ens-newswire.com] State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington.
Re:*Waits* (Score:2)
Re:*Waits* (Score:1)
while you wait: US rejects 15 tons of food rations from Germany, saying they might be contaminated with BSE. (Those same rations are NATO approved and eaten by US soldiers in Afghanistan, for examle). Article is in German [spiegel.de], ask the fish.
Solar flares. (Score:3, Funny)
My sympathy goes out to the victims.
not the right time or place?? (Score:3, Insightful)
Why is it because of the poverty level and they won't have enough clientele? Or because they will lose all the equipment once the next hurricane hits (man vs nature - my bet is on nature but that's another discussion)
Personally, I've heard New Orleans is a big convention city and wouldn't that be a good reason to "hook them up" with this technology.
If the technology is as a good as they are touting, it will draw more people to the area for meetings/conventions would it not?
New Orleans is a big convention city... (Score:1, Flamebait)
Huh. (Score:3, Insightful)
They had their chance, and handed it to the cable companies by the combined misery of ISDN deployments in the early 90s and DSL deployments in the late 90s. Maybe they can work on correct and complete Caller ID information and shutting down the waves of illegal fax spam until the next communication technology comes around.
Re:Huh. (Score:2)
The phone companies have a unique chance to deploy an amazing new tech, which would probably go up faster and serve more people than replacing the old lines. And they could definitely piggyback one onto the other
Re:Huh. (Score:2)
According to the article, "In areas with extreme damage where buildings will be replaced, BellSouth will bring fiber to the new structures, [Ken Smith, director of AT&T's disaster recovery team] said."
If that intention actually pans out, that probably means the gulf coast area will have one of the country's large
About Time... (Score:5, Interesting)
Someone I speak to occasionally works in the communications industry, and after Katrina happened he started to chase up his superiors to see what can be done to deploy wireless communications in the disaster area - he made numerous calls to government officials to be told time after time that he was speaking to the *wrong* person - all the while the government were complaining "if only we had communications" - needless to say he's not been in a very good mood lately...
Better late than never I suppose, but this could have been so much more useful had it been set up earlier...
WTF!?! (Score:1, Insightful)
Talk about looting a corpse! Do these people have NO shame? Wait, don't answer that...
Anything for a fucking dollar. That's probably why we're in this shit in the first place.
Re:WTF!?! (Score:1)
The older I get, the more I see, the lower my view of humanity...
Re:WTF!?! (Score:1)
First suggested right here on Slashdot (Score:4, Informative)
Here's the "first post" [slashdot.org] on it right here in slashdot. Of course many simply flamed.
"Now would be a fantastic opportunity to install a citywide Wi-Fi network. If the ILEC was ever going to do it and get good press for it, now is the time. Could Intel use another test bed for Wi-Max?"
Re:First suggested right here on Slashdot (Score:1)
Now you'll simply be ignored.
Re:First suggested right here on Slashdot (Score:2)
Yes, and it appears that poor communications is now being highlighted as a significant contributor to the slow response of disaster relief. There is obviously a recognition that the whole communications system needs a rethink. The link reports a briefing to state Sen. Robert Barham on a system for linking networks of support agencies.
So, when is a good time? (Score:3, Interesting)
According to TFA, "[BellSouth] expects to spend as much as $600 million to restore service on nearly half its 4.9 million lines in the gulf region and to 24 central offices, where local lines connect to the public phone network."
That's what, some $240+ per line? Thank god they're using wireless to cut costs in some instances!
Somehow I can't help but think that the price/performance comparison favours wireless...
Re:So, when is a good time? (Score:1)
Re:So, when is a good time? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:So, when is a good time? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:So, when is a good time? (Score:3, Interesting)
Someone has to buy those Harleys... (Score:1)
Re:So, when is a good time? (Score:3, Insightful)
Massive flooding is unlikely to just pull some wires out from under a couple of screws. The wires themselves are the least of the problem. How much switching equipment was underwater long enough that it needs to be replaced? Probably tens of thorusands. How many poles are down? Probably millions. How many cables were severed and need to be spliced? Thousands.
The $240 a line number is probably an estimate of
Re:So, when is a good time? (Score:2)
You can get fired for poor performance, i
Great idea. (Score:1)
Re:Great idea. (Score:2)
Subtle Euphemism (Score:1)
"...could deliver movies or medical records at speeds hundreds of times faster than current Internet connections"
What do they really mean by "medical records"?
Re:Subtle Euphemism (Score:1)
They're trying to make people think of productive, credible uses of the internet, rather than just porn. Just like every kid tried to convince their parents to buy a computer so they could "balance their checkbook and save recipes!".
In any case, the quote from the article is confusing - many, many, many people already have cable modems with speeds of 1-10Mbps, and to the best of my knowledge no individual WiMax connection (unless they're going to put a channel/W
Re:Subtle Euphemism (Score:2)
wimax? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:wimax? (Score:4, Insightful)
We get this sort of simplistic attitude exhibited whenever people mention sending any sort of gadget developed after WWII to impoverished nations, it shouldn't apply there and it shouldn't apply to the southern US - technology that does not appear to be instantly lifesaving does help people live better lives and does save lives.
Re:wimax? (Score:2)
Yes, thats exactly what the area needed, more complex time-consuming solutions to address the basic needs of life.
>Truckloads of ice and fresh water did not get to the right places in recent days due to a lack of communication.
It wasn't because of communications, it was because of leadership/government. I'm in Canada and I knew that they needed water, food and a place to sleep, just from casually watch TV. It was communi
Re:wimax? (Score:4, Insightful)
Look, officials have been complaining [tuscaloosanews.com] since day 1 that a big part of the problem is communications:
The military has been aware of this issue for *decades*, that's why they invented the Internet, which allows all kinds of information to be exchanged using a standard set of protocols. That is the key to allowing different parties, that don't usually communicate, to rapidly and dynamically set up new data exchange pathways during an emergency.Now can I rant for a minute? Every time slashdot reports a communications network is to be set up in a poor country or emergency, somebody complains that communications are superflous in such circumstances. That's insane! Ask yourself - why are cops, soldiers, and emergency responders such heavy users of communications technology? Don't they have better things to do than sit around chatting?
Re:wimax? (Score:2)
Lots of TV stations had live video feeds from the area, day 1.
Of course they are going to complain about technology, they are just covering themselves.
>emergency responders had little more to communicate with than hand-held radios and cell phones
Exactly what else do you need to communicate?
>The National Guard couldn't get in touch with New Orleans Police Department officers working the city streets.
C
Re:wimax? (Score:2)
How about finding new homes for Katrina Victims? (Score:2, Interesting)
The American Voice [pennsylvaniavoice.com] has a solution that could be used to relocate some of the Katrina victims that are willing to work for what they get. The Katrina victims would be given free farms in the Western U. S. Not a bad idea imo. It gives the victims both a place to live and a way to earn a living. The farms are small family farms rather than
Re:How about finding new homes for Katrina Victims (Score:3, Insightful)
There's always a silver lining..... (Score:4, Insightful)
I guess.
Yes, I suppose when a major U.S. city is destroyed, that is an excellent time to follow Africa's paradoxically late "lead" and just pass over copper and even fiber in some cases.
Re:There's always a silver lining..... (Score:4, Interesting)
Why? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Why? (Score:3, Interesting)
Also, note this:
> Telecom executives and analysts, though, aren't so sure it's the right time or place.
What they mean is:
Call Me Stupid But.. (Score:1, Interesting)
Seriously, is anyone vetting slashdot articles to make sure they have some semblance to reality?
What kills me is... (Score:1)
Re:What kills me is... (Score:2)
- Unholy boss pig
Wifi over copper? (Score:5, Interesting)
Well it is a good situation to update the infrastructure (although being one of the poorer areas of the US, I'd doubt they'd go too far due to a lack of major corporate backing). On that note, why would they avoid good old copper or other great technologies? The potential of copper (10-gigabit is the latest 'consumer' technology) is faster, more reliable, and more secure than any WiFi they can throw at it.
C'mon- WiFi is fun and all to save you running wires to your basement, or giving you e-mail while you check your coffee, but lets be realistic. It's a security issue. It's a reliability issue (interference, signal issues in certain areas, 'jamming'). And the spectrum only has so much room in it. Just run a few wires and call it a day.
-M
Re:Wifi over copper? (Score:2)
Re:Wifi over copper? (Score:3, Interesting)
Assuming New Orleans is rebuilt I think its open to debate if it will still be poor after its done. One possibility is all the low income housing gets bulldozed, which is a key motivator in forced evacuations, and it will replaced by yuppie friendly condos and high rises. Most of the poor have been scattered to the wind already and may stay where they landed, since its hard for poor with no cash reserves.
New Orelans would be an ideal city for yuppies due t
Re:Wifi over copper? (Score:2)
I'd like to present the flip side. This of course uses cliche's like 'rich' and 'poor' as generic entities.
New Orleans has a _VERY_ large poor population. New Orleans has a small rich population, however the split between the two is very large. When word of Katrina came, a large part of the rich fled town in their SUVs or equivalent and went to surrounding areas. These people will collect the insurance mon
Re:Wifi over copper? (Score:2)
Debatable. There's a high cost to relocating, be it the cost of purchasing/renting property, transit to the new location, or even more often neglected, the time spent without any income and trying to find it.
How much culture is left? Once the historic 100-
Re:Wifi over copper? (Score:2)
Dude you are totally not getting it. All the poor don't own anything in New Orleans, they have already been relocated, and they will be supported where they are with billions of our tax dollars. I doubt they will even be allowed to get back in to the city to recover their belongings. Chances are hi
Re:Wifi over copper? (Score:2)
Do you honestly believe a major city and even more major port would NOT be rebuilt? It's not like the entire city has to be bulldozed and rebuilt from the ground up....some bulldozing, but mostly sheetrock work in affected buildings and mostly on the 1st and sometimes 2nd floors.
Re:Wifi over copper? (Score:2)
Repairing the port has nothing to do with the city, they have little to do with each other. Even then I've heard numerous people suggest Baton Rouge would be a lot better place for the major port at the bottom of the Mississippi, it has better transportation access and is much less vulnerable to hurricanes.
I'm sure downtown, the French quarter and the Garden district will be rebuilt. I wager all of the poor neighborhoods
LOL (Score:3, Insightful)
Doesn't anyone realize that Mississippi and Louisiana are one of the two poorest states in the country? Who excactly [casas.org] would a next gen internet and cable be marketed [casas.org] to? There is also income data here [census.gov] and here [census.gov]. Let's not put our next gen tech. in an area that can't support it economically.
Actually... (Score:2)
Actually, I thought that Mississippi and Louisiana are two of the two poorest states.
Re:Actually... (Score:2)
Re:LOL (Score:1)
Re:LOL (Score:2)
The reason that t
In other News... (Score:3, Funny)
Maybe people should RTFA (Score:3, Interesting)
Grandma betty and Aunt Sue dont need a fancy wireless internet connection they need a phone line back up so they can call their other family and tell them they not dead.
quoting the article
"The best thing for us economically and the quickest thing from a customer service view is, if the lines are just down, put them back up," he said.
(DUH!)
"The company considered installing wireless broadband in rebuilding, Smith said, but it found that it could recover most of its fiber network. The technologies will be used eventually. "I'm a big fan of WiMax," he said."
(Clue for the clueless: Fiber is still better than wireless)
Bellsouth is a BIG company they think strategically not tactically. The most economical thing for them right now is simply restore their phone lines and their fiber networks. when they roll something out they do it en mass. They will be deploying 25mpbs service to all their customers within 3 years to provide both tv, phone service, and DSL over the same line.
As someone who made it through Hurricane Frances and Jean last year, Im glad bellsouth is on the job. I never lost my DSL service even though I lost my cable for 12 days and many of my neighbors lost power for 2 weeks.
Now there's an ironic turn (Score:3, Insightful)
Then they put your broadcast stations on your "cable".
Now they want to put your cable on a broadcast channel, including the original broadcast stations, but not on their original broadcast channels...
The right time, the right place? (Score:2, Interesting)
Interdictor Blog (Score:2)
http://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/ [livejournal.com]
Crossed fingers... (Score:2, Interesting)
Another useless bit of nonsense trumpted on /. (Score:2, Insightful)
Oh, we forgot... Most of the communications infrastructure comprising the critical backhauls that carry all the traffic of the wireless endpoints have been disrupted. Entire phone company central offices are under water in some places or were. Co-location facilities have been disrupted or destroyed outright. Aerial fiber and copper have been severed all over the place.
Oh, we also forgot that people are in need of drinking water and food to eat and medical supplies to deal with eve
Re:Another useless bit of nonsense trumpted on /. (Score:2)
You're griping about life-threatening conditions (food, water), and then you stick this in?
The reason this is out there is because the people rolling into NO to try to care for people and start dealing with the disaster conditions have no fucking way to communicate. However, if they can bring in a laptop with wireless (hardly an exotic item, and there are plenty of ways to charge the things, starting with mundane car cigarette lighters which run off gas that you will hav
Re:Wi-Max Infrastructure (Score:4, Insightful)
Even if it destroys every Wi-Max antenna in the area it would only take a matter of hours to replace them
Re:Wi-Max Infrastructure (Score:4, Informative)
MOD PARENT DOWN (Score:1)