Vincent D. Kelly, president and chief executive officer of USA Mobility Inc , a leading provider of wireless messaging services, described the significant advantages of paging technology during emergencies in testimony before the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks.

Kelly told panelists USA Mobility's paging networks performed exceptionally well during Hurricane Katrina and other major storms last summer due primarily to their unique network architecture, which combines digital satellite signaling to the transmission facilities (as opposed to landline control used by many mobile phone providers), an extensive system of high- powered terrestrial transmitters and switches, and simulcast technology that allows wider coverage and strong in-building penetration compared to other more expensive forms of wireless communications.

"Paging services withstood Hurricane Katrina and were fully restored faster than wireline, cellular or broadband services," Kelly said. "In areas hardest hit by the storm, we restored service within 48 hours while most other providers took much longer. Put simply, our use of satellite technology makes paging more reliable for emergency communications than other wireless technologies."

Kelly's remarks were made to a panel established by the FCC to review the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the telecommunications and media infrastructure in the areas affected by the hurricane. The panel, which heard testimony at Jackson State University, is expected to make recommendations to the FCC by mid-June regarding ways to improve disaster preparedness, network reliability and communications among first responders.

During his testimony, Kelly said paging services continue to play a critical role for first responder organizations throughout the country due to their reliability and cost advantages even though mass market appeal for pagers has declined in recent years in favor of mobile phone users. "Paging devices are still used extensively by police officers, fire fighters and rescue workers," he noted, "and they are heavily relied upon by hospitals, health clinics, government agencies and numerous other mission-critical organizations and businesses with high priority communications needs."

Kelly provided panelists with specific details about how USA Mobility prepared for and responded to the Hurricane Katrina crisis, which included supplying thousands of additional pagers to federal, state and local emergency teams. He added that USA Mobility and other paging carriers reacted similarly during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when other wireless technologies failed.

"As the nation's largest provider of paging services," Kelly said, "we appreciate the opportunity to share with the panel our experiences and observations ... as well as underscore the public safety benefits offered by less- prominent but valuable technologies like paging. Moreover, because we believe paging is the most affordable, redundant and reliable emergency communications solution available today, we encourage the panel to consider making paging a required form of communication for all federal, state and local emergency service personnel.

Additional information about today's hearing is available at the FCC's website www.fcc.gov under "Advisory Committees" and "Hurricane Katrina Independent Panel."
KW