# Presentation: 748944

## Lt Col Joanne Sechrest
Mgr, One-Stop Shop Services
 DHS/IAIP, National Communications System

joanne.sechrest@dhs.gov
703.607.4960
http://www.ncs.gov

**Mgr, One-Stop Shop Services**
** ****DHS/IAIP, National Communications System**
**joanne.sechrest@dhs.gov**
**703.607.4960**
**http://www.ncs.gov**

**Government Emergency Telecommunications Service**
**(GETS)**

## Overview
Operational Concept
Criteria
Cost
Testing
How to Order
Contact Information

- Operational Concept
- Criteria
- Cost
- Testing
- How to Order
- Contact Information

**Outline**

**2**

## GETS:  Network Congestion

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

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

**Local Exchange**
**Networks**

**Government Emergency Telecommunications Service *****addresses ******wireline ******congestion***

**Local Exchange**
**Networks**

**3**

## GETS Overview

**GETS Overview**

**4**

## The GETS Calling Card

**GETS User****	**

**   **

**GETS User**
** ****Organization**

**The GETS Calling Card**

**GETS priority is invoked**
**“****call-by-call”**

***Calling cards are in widespread use and easily understood by the NS/EP User, simplifying GETS usage***

***GETS is a "***_***ubiquitous***_***" service in the Public Switched Telephone Network...if you can get a DIAL TONE, you can make a GETS call***

**5**

## Why The PublicSwitched Network (PSN)?

**6**

- 95% of government telecommunications needs met by PSN
- > $300B Infrastructure; > 150M Access Lines; > 25K Switches
- GETS enhancements are deployed in the 3 major Interexchange Carriers and in the major Local Exchange Carriers across the US.
- GETS local enhancements are available from over 85% of the access lines connecting to the public switched network
- PSN Is _Ubiquitous, Robust, And Flexible_

## Operational Concept

**7**

## Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) Routing

- AT

- IXC AT&T

- IXC MCI

- IXC Sprint

- IXC OTHER

**USER DIALS**
**1-703-818-4387**

- EO

- AT

**AIN**

- IXC AT&T

- IXC Sprint

- IXC OTHER

- End Office Sends Call to User’s *Presubscribed Carrier* Via Direct Route, If Available

- If Direct Path Blocked, EO Sends Call To Access Tandem

- “*All Circuits Are Busy, Please Hang-up And Call Later*”

- IXC MCI

**8**

## GETS Priority Features 

**AT**

- IXC AT&T

- IXC  MCI

- IXC Sprint

- IXC OTHER

**EO**

**AT**

- IXC AT&T

- IXC MCI

- IXC Sprint

- IXC OTHER

**EO**

***Interexchange Carriers***

**GETS Priority Features **
**and Enhanced Routing**

_***Plus!..GETS has***_
***Priority in the ***
***    ******signaling network***
***Exemption from ***
***    ******control restrictions***

**9**

## Power of GETS

- Utilizes robustness of the public switched network
- 6 Ways to get to long distance networks rather than 2
- Priority over public calls in signaling network
- Exemption from Network Management Controls
- Enhanced routing alternatives in public networks
- Queuing for available circuits during access and egress
- GETS power works for LOCAL and Long Distance

**10**

**When you have dial tone, GETS will typically get you through!**

## 9/11: 
10,000 GETS calls attempted into/out of/within NYC and DC area with 95% completion rate 
Used for calls between end offices when local trunks damaged but long distance trunks still operational

Nisqually Earthquake:  GETS calls within area exempt from network management controls

Aug 03 NE Blackout:  1,231 GETS calls into/out of/within affected areas with 90% + success rate

**11**

- 9/11:
- 10,000 GETS calls attempted into/out of/within NYC and DC area with 95% completion rate
- Used for calls between end offices when local trunks damaged but long distance trunks still operational
- Nisqually Earthquake:  GETS calls within area exempt from network management controls
- Aug 03 NE Blackout:  1,231 GETS calls into/out of/within affected areas with 90% + success rate

## Who is Eligible to use GETS?

- Organizations that support one or more of the following five National Security / Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) mission areas, qualify for OMNCS sponsorship to become a GETS user:

***Non-Federal users require***
***NCS member sponsorship – typically done by the Office of Manager NCS***

**Who is Eligible to use GETS?**

- National Security Leadership
- National Security Posture and US Population Attack Warning
- Public Health, Safety, and Maintenance of Law and Order
- Public Welfare and Maintenance of National Economic Posture
- Disaster Recovery

**12**

## GETS Costs

- NCS pays for all Federal calls up to annual ceiling--departments billed for excess
- GETS calls generally cost 10 cents or less per minute
-  Operator assisted and International higher
- NCS cannot pay for Non-Federal calls
-  Non-Federal Organizations establish an “account” with DITCO at Scott AFB
- Not normally billed for calls to confirm receipt of individual GETS cards, familiarization and short duration test calls
- Reserve the right to bill for all calls, especially if there has been fraud, waste, or abuse using your GETS card(s)

**13**

## Familiarization and Testing

- Encourage GETS cards distribution
- Keep 10% in stockpile for unanticipated needs
- Encourage GETS card holders test their cards
- Incorporate GETS in exercise scenarios
- Use it from home, office, hotels, etc. and on cell networks and payphones – places you might be in an emergency
- Report problems to 1-800-818-GETS
- Utilize GETS 800/888 access numbers as fall back

**14**

## Toll-free Numbers

- Toll-free numbers CANNOT be used as destination numbers in GETS
- Toll-free number databases can fail during major emergencies
- Obtain regular telephone numbers for toll-free numbers before an emergency occurs

**15**

**800**
**866**
**877**
**888**

-   GETS 800/888 Access numbers do not receive GETS priority treatment
-     until** **the** **call reaches AT&T/MCI/Sprint

## How Do You Order GETS?

- Your organization Point of Contact (POC) applies for GETS for all users within your organization
- Easy on-line registration
- Upon approval, GETS cards and instructions mailed to POC within 3-5 days
- No established POC? or don’t know your POC – contact the NCS

**16**

## NCS Contact Information 

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

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

_**WEBSITE:**_
**http://gets.ncs.gov**

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

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## Slide 18