# Presentation: 699987

## Wireless Priority Service

**(WPS)**

**Lt Col Joanne Sechrest**
**Mgr, Wireless Priority Service**
** ****DHS/ IAIP/ NCS**
**joanne.sechrest@dhs.gov**
**703.607.4960**
**http://www.ncs.gov**

## Outline

**Overview**
**Criteria **
**Operational Concept**
**Cost**
**How to Order**
**Special Purpose Communications**
**Contact Information**

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## Problem:  Network Congestion

**Problem:  Network Congestion**

*Congestion,**at *_*many*_* points, can block a call !*

**AT&T **
**MCI**
**SPRINT**

**Local Exchange**
**Networks**

**Local Exchange**
**Networks**

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## Wireless Priority Service (WPS)

**    ****One wireless carrier’s traffic ****	****ballooned by ****400**** percent in ****	****Washington and ****1,000**** percent ****	****in a NY area switching center**
**    ****Urgent requirement for              ****	****wireless priority access**

**Wireless Priority Service (WPS)**
**Attack on America, Sep 11, 2001**

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## Solution: Wireless Priority Service

**Solution: Wireless Priority Service**

**“****Add-on” feature to your existing cell service**

**For cell and landline congestion:**_** Dial *272 and GETS access number, enter PIN, and dial destination number **_

**Mobile Switch**

**Wireline Networks**

**Mobile Switch**

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## More narrow than GETS eligibility
Persons in NS/EP leadership positions, key staff, and key locations
Applicable at all levels: Federal, State, Regional, Municipal, Industry

**Persons in NS/EP leadership positions, key staff, and key locations**
**Applicable at all levels: Federal, State, Regional, Municipal, Industry**

| User Classification | Examples |
| --- | --- |
| #1: Executive Leadership/Policy Makers | President, Governors, Lt Governors, City/County leaders, Cabinet officers, key senior staff |
| #2: Disaster Response / Military Command & Control | Continuity of government and national security leadership; EOC coordinators/directors |
| #3: Public Health, Safety, Law Enforcement | Senior command levels of law enforcement, fire and public safety functions |
| #4: Public Services/Utilities and Public Welfare | COE leadership; water/sewage/ telecomm/transportation leadership |
| #5: Disaster Recovery | Medical resources; sheltering; infrastructure damage assessment; JFO  |

**Who is Eligible to Use WPS?**

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## Nationwide:

**Mobile Switch**

**Mobile Switch**

***272 Dest #**

**Dial * 272 + dest. # + send**

**If dest. is long distance...**

**Nationwide:**
**Initial Operating Capability**

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## IOC provided one major capability:  priority to cell tower (only)
Cell tower access is the major cause of blockage for localized “hot spot” congestion
Tanker truck overturned on expressway.
During wide area event, IOC capability got the radio channel but did not overcome congestion in the rest of the mobile network.
Large area chemical spill.  Large area blackout.
FOC corrects these limitations

**Cell tower access is the major cause of blockage for localized “hot spot” congestion**
**Tanker truck overturned on expressway.**
**During wide area event, IOC capability got the radio channel but did not overcome congestion in the rest of the mobile network.**
**Large area chemical spill.  Large area blackout.**
**FOC corrects these limitations**

**WPS IOC Limitations**

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## Nationwide:

***272 Dest #**

**Dial * 272 + dest. # + send**

**Call gets to congested switch**

**If dest. is local mobile...**

**If dest. is mobile in another MSC...**

**If dest. is long distance...**

**Congestion: No radio channel**

**Or...**

**Nationwide:**
**Full Operating Capability**

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## When you need to make an official call, and you encounter congestion, retry your call but prefix your dialed number with  *272
e.g. *272 703 555-1234
Everything else is automatic – your call will queue for up to 30 seconds, “grabbing” the next channel
If landline networks are also congested, utilize *272 plus the GETS access number to get priority in both wireless and landline networks

- When you need to make an official call, and you encounter congestion, retry your call but prefix your dialed number with  *272
- e.g. *272 703 555-1234
- Everything else is automatic – your call will queue for up to 30 seconds, “grabbing” the next channel
- If landline networks are also congested, utilize *272 plus the GETS access number to get priority in both wireless and landline networks

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## GSM carriers 
 T-Mobile:		FOC complete 
 AT&T Wireless:	FOC Aug 04 – Dec 04
 Cingular:		FOC Jul 04 – Dec 04
 Nextel:			IOC complete

- GSM carriers
-  T-Mobile:		FOC complete
-  AT&T Wireless:	FOC Aug 04 – Dec 04
-  Cingular:		FOC Jul 04 – Dec 04
-  Nextel:			IOC complete

- CDMA Carriers (Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS) estimated to be added in 2006

**GSM FOC complete by Dec 05!**

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## WPS Modeled Performance

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## General Caveats

- WPS is a digital service – it will not work on an analog network
- WPS will work when roaming on a network partner carrier only if that network also has WPS capability
- WPS will queue in a destination cellular network only if that network has WPS capability
- WPS will not send location data to a 9-1-1 call

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## WPS Cost

- WPS feature subscription rates:
-  Not more than $10 one-time activation fee
-  Not more than $4.50 monthly service fee
-  Not more than $0.75 per minute for WPS calls
- Available on numerous Government contracts
- See specific contract information on the “Carriers” portion of the WPS website (wps.ncs.gov)

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## Is Your Agency Prepared?

- Where can WPS augment existing emergency communications capabilities?
- Do your key leaders and decision makers need WPS?
- Do you incorporate WPS into emergency plans and exercises?

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## WPS -   Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands

| Organization | WPS |
| --- | --- |
| Federal Government | 8 |
| Industry- Financial | 0 |
| Industry – Telecom | 0 |
| Industry – Utilities | 0 |
| Industry – Health | 0 |
| Local Government | 0 |
| Other NS/EP | 0 |

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## How Do You Order WPS?

**Step 1 - Establish a POC:**
- - Find out if your organization has a WPS “Point of Contact” – work with your POC to add services
- - If no POC, assign a Program Lead with the _authority_ and _time_ to implement
- - Recommend combined GETS/WPS POC

**Step 2:** Identify individuals and functions to have WPS.  **Identify existing phone numbers**

**Step 4:** Order WPS thru on-line system

**Step 3: **Establish on-line account

**Step 6: **Update emergency plans and drills to include WPS

**Step 5:** If you already have phone service, WPS is “turned on” in 3-5 days

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## Sectera phone allows secure communications on GSM networks
Sectera is a modified Motorola P-280
Secure module makes unit about 1⁄4 inch thicker
Phone has a voice number, data number, and fax number
Users acquire phone through National Security Agency contract
Service is arranged through your carrier representative

- Sectera is a modified Motorola P-280
- Secure module makes unit about 1⁄4 inch thicker
- Phone has a voice number, data number, and fax number
- Users acquire phone through National Security Agency contract
- Service is arranged through your carrier representative

**Secure Communications**

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## Satellite Backup

- Satellite phones provide additional backup when cellular or landline service is not available for any reason
- Not just for rural environments
- Good example:  power outages make office private branch exchanges (PBXs) inoperable, and outages that last for more than several hours can exhaust backup power supplies at cell towers
- Carriers include Globalstar, Iridium, Inmarsat, etc.
- Can be utilized as handheld mobile sets, in vehicles with mobile or fixed installations, and in structures with fixed antenna units

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## WPS Web Site 

**WPS Web Site**** **

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## WPS Contact Information 

_**E-MAIL:**_
**wps@ncs.gov**

_**WEBSITES:**_
**http://wps.ncs.gov**** **

_**MAILING ADDRESS**_**:**
**OMNCS**
**P. O. Box 4502**
**Arlington, VA  22204-4502**

_**TELEPHONE:**_
**Information/Sign-Up**
** ****1-866 NCS-CALL (627-2255) or 703 676-2255**
** ****(Option 2 for WPS)**
**Trouble Reporting (24x7) **
** ****1-800-818-4387**
**Or 703-818-4387**

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