# Presentation: 751664

## Government EmergencyTelecommunications Service (GETS)

**GETS Overview Briefing For **
**Emergency Response Training - Phase IV    **
**     ****Office Of The Manager, National Communication System (OMNCS)**
**      ****701 South Court House Road**
**      ****Arlington, Virginia 22204-2198**

- Presenter:  Mr. William Gleichsner
- 	   gleichsw@ncs.gov

- GETS Program Management Office	  LtCol William Scheppers ScheppW@ncs.gov

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## Agenda

**GETS Requirements**
**GETS Overview**
**GETS Users**
**Testimonials **
**Summary**

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## E.O. 12472 – The NCS shall provide National Security and Emergency Preparedness communications under all circumstances

GETS Objective – Provide authorized government and industry users with a nationwide NS/EP switched voice and voice band data communications service by utilizing the surviving PSN resources under a full range of conditions:
Crisis
Natural disasters
All-hazards

- _GETS Objective_ – Provide authorized government and industry users with a nationwide NS/EP switched voice and voice band data communications service by utilizing the surviving PSN resources under a full range of conditions:
- Crisis
- Natural disasters
- All-hazards

**White House Requirements**

_***GETS Functional Requirements:***_
**Voice Band Service**
**Interoperability**
**Survivability/Endurability**
**International Interface**
**Nationwide Coverage**
**Intra/Interagency Operation**

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**Notes:**
“Why The Public Switched Network”
· In study after study, over decades, we have proven that the public switched telephone network of the United States is one of the most robust components of our national infrastructure.
· It is an infrastructure that has been under construction for a century.  It is the central nervous system of our economy.  It is built to tough standards for performance.
· Private networks, such as the federal government's Federal Telephone Service, or the Department of Defense's Defense Switched Network, are very robust and capable -- but even these are merely subsets of the public network.  They are services and system provided by the public switched network industry.

## Why The PublicSwitched Network (PSN)?

- _GETS Is Based On The PSN Because:_
- 95 Percent Of Government Telecommunications Needs Are Met By The PSN
- The PSN Is _Ubiquitous, Robust, And Flexible_
- _Therefore:_
- GETS Provides _*Improvements*_ In The PSN For NS/EP Telecommunications
- The PSN Will Provide For The Continuing Technical _*Evolution*_ Of GETS

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**Notes:**
The telecommunications infrastructure of the nation is one of the most robust and resilient of the American economy’s components.  

## The GETS Approach

** **

- Meets White House Requirement

- Will Support NS/EP Users

*Strategy*

*Objectives*

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## Operational Concept

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**Notes:**
“Operational Concept”
We often refer to the GETS as a “ubiquitous” service.  Actually, ubiquity is an objective, although absolute assurance that GETS works from every one of the 150+ million access lines in this country - continuously - is an almost impossible task.
The operational concept, however, is to create a service that provides authenticated access, enhanced routing, and priority service which will interoperate with wireline and wireless services throughout the nation -- from any instrument to any other instrument.  That is a very tall order.
It should be noted that we use private networks for access, and in some cases, egress.    

## POTS Routing

- AT

- IXC AT&T

- IXC MCI

- IXC Sprint

- IXC OTHER

**USER DIALS**
**1-703-607-6101**

- 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

**Notes:**
[this is an animated slide showing POTs dialing]

## GETS Dialing Plan

**1-710-NCS-GETS + PIN + Destination Number**

***PRESUBSCRIBED***** TO (AT&T,**
**MCI, OR SPRINT)**
***OR***** DIAL 1010222, 1010288, OR**
**1010333 TO DESIGNATE IXC**
***OR****** *****FROM FTS**
***OR***** FROM DTS**
***OR***** FROM DISN**

**GETS**
**UNIVERSAL**
**ACCESS**
**NUMBER**
**  ****1-710-NCS-GETS**
**  ****(1-710-627-4387)**

**12 DIGIT**
***PERSONAL***
***IDENTIFICATION***
***NUMBER***
**(PIN)**

**10 DIGIT**
**DESTINATION**
**TELEPHONE**
**NUMBER**
**OR**
**INTERNATIONAL**
**DIALING**

**NORTH AMERICAN NUMBERING PLAN**

**GETS DIALING PLAN**

**703-607-6101**

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**Notes:**
[this slide discusses the dialing plan as well as the details of the PIN card itself]

## GETS Routing

- IXC OTHER

**User Dials **

**1-710-NCS-GETS**

**GETS Routing**

- AT

- IXC AT&T

- IXC MCI

- IXC Sprint

- IXC OTHER

- EO

- AT

**AIN**

- IXC AT&T

- IXC MCI

- IXC Sprint

**Query AIN**
**Platform**

**Routing Instructions For **
**Alternate Carrier Routing (ACR)**

**“****Other” IXC calls**
**  ****stopped at EO**

**Call Passed**
** ****to IXC**

**TONE -- Enter PIN **

**     ****123456789012**

***“******Please enter your destination number now”***

**703-607-6101**

***“******You are using GETS -- AT&T”***

**GETS Call Processed**

**NETWORK DAMAGE / CONGESTION  ENCOUNTERED**

**Enhanced Routing *****and***
**              ****Priority Treatment**

**Call in **
**IXC Queue**

**Call in **
**AT Queue**

**CALL CONNECTED!**

**Call Queues on Direct Trunk Group**

**Call Queues on AT Trunk Group**

**Call Queues on IXC Trunk Group**

***Probability of GETS call completion engineered for ~ .85 during ***_***8X design overload throughout entire PSN***_

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**Notes:**
[This is a very animated slide, demonstrating ACR and queuing in the LECs and the IECs, enhanced  routing and priority treatment in the IECs,  controlled PIN card authentication and announcements.]

##  Who’s Authorized 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:**

**National Security Leadership**

** ****Who’s Authorized to Use GETS?**

**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**

***Non-Federal users require NCS member sponsorship***

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## Usage Cost

- OMNCS Will Fund NCS Member Organization Usage Up To The Annual Threshold
- NCS Organizations Will Only Be Billed For Their Usage If The Threshold Has Been Exceeded
- State & Local Governments And Industry Users Will Pay For Their Usage

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## GETS Card Distribution

***79,414 Cards***

**GETS Card Distribution**

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## The GETS Calling Card

**COLIN  L.  POWELL****	**

**   **

**SECRETARY OF STATE**

**   **

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

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

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

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## GETS Information and Documentation

**GETS Brochure**

**GETS User Guides**

**NCS Notice On Usage Billing**

**GETS Planning Guide**

**GETS CD**

**GETS Home Page  **_***http://gets.ncs.gov***_

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

**GETS PowerPoint User Training **

**GETS**
**User**
**Training**

***GETS CD***

***      ******-- Video***
***-- Documents***

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## GETS User Assistance1-800-818-GETS

**Fraud Protection**
**Trouble and PIN Management**
**24 x 7**

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## GETS Home Pagegets.ncs.gov

**Access the NCS GETS Homepage for information on  GETS**
**Use easy to follow process to sign up for GETS**
**Download GETS documentation and training tools**

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## Nisqually Testimonials

***"Overall, [GETS] got me through.  It was a real advantage to have [GETS], particularly during the first 24 hours, because you couldn't get through any other way.“***
**Michael Knight - GSA Region 10**

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## Nisqually Testimonials (con’t)

**Nisqually Testimonials ****(con’t)**

***Went to GETS after a dozen POTS attempts with high and dry results.  6 GETS completions, no failures***
***"I'm happy to have it as a backup emergency plan.  It was, in fact, the only thing that worked.”***
**Roy Hoffman - US Customs Service**

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## 9/11 Attack Testimonials

**9/11 Attack Testimonials**

***[GETS] was great!  I tried to use my cell phone and couldn’t get through.  Then I used my GETS card and my call went right through.  I tried using FTS on a wired phone and got a fast busy.  Then once I used 710, I had no problem at all...It just works! ***
***- Charlie Cape, Dept. of Commerce***

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## GETS Successes

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## Summary

- GETS has evolved over more than 15 years and will continue to evolve as the public switched network evolves.
- GETS is the PSN-wide emergency telephone service for NS/EP users.  It WORKS!  Federal departments and agencies should use it and sponsor industry functionals who need it.
- BE PREPARED!

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## GETS WORKS!

-      GETS has been designed to ensure that only authorized users access the service through the distribution, use, and control of PINs.  The GETS user will be provided with a unique PIN that must be used to access the service.  After the universal access number has been dialed, the GETS user will be prompted to enter a PIN and destination number.
-      If the PIN is valid, the call will be processed.  If the PIN is not valid (for example, if you entered it incorrectly), you will be prompted to reenter the PIN.  If the PIN, after three attempts, is again determined to be invalid, the call will be disconnected.
-      If the access control system fails, the call *will* be processed and allowed to complete.  PINs can be deactivated for fraud or abuse.
- ENHANCED_ _ROUTING
-      LEC, cellular, and foreign carriers will route 710 calls to one of the three IECs.  AT&T has implemented an enhanced routing service for 710 calls in its network.  Enhanced routing services for MCI, Sprint, and the LECs are

- HOW_ _GETS_ _WORKS_: _CALL_ _COMPLETION_ _EVEN_ _IN_ _DAMAGED_ _OR_ _CONGESTED_ _NETWORKS
-      The tremendous growth in the telecommunications industry has enabled Government users to expand services at reduced costs, which, in turn, has increased our reliance on the telephone.  But this growth has been accompanied by an increased vulnerability to a variety of problems.  Economic viability and technical feasibility have combined to produce such advances as nationwide fiber optic networks, high-speed digital switching, and intelligent network features.  Although backup systems are in place, the loss of a single fiber optic cable or the failure of a computer program can disrupt thousands of telephone customers for hours or days.  GETS provides a cost-effective means to overcome network outages through the following key features.
- DIALING_ _PLAN
-      The dialing plan is based on the 710 area code that is reserved for NS/EP use.  This area code is valid in the IECs and all LECs, cellular carriers, and foreign carriers.  The normal access mode is through your presubscribed long-distance carrier by dialing the universal access number.  If this is not successful, alternative long-distance carriers can be accessed

- THE_ _GETS_ _CONCEPT_: _INTELLIGENTLY_ _USING_ _COMMERCIAL_ _TECHNOLOGY
-      Economic pressures and technological advances have made telephone services increasingly more vulnerable to disruption by natural or man-made disasters.  Recent events have shown that fires, power failures, fiber cable cuts, and software problems can cripple the telephone service of entire regions.  Congestion in the public switched network (PSN), such as the well-documented “Mother’s Day” phenomenon, can also prevent circuits from being accessed.  GETS is designed and maintained in a constant state of readiness to make maximum use of all ava

- THE_ _GOVERNMENT_ _EMERGENCY_ _TELECOMMUNICATIONS_ _SERVICE_ (_GETS)
- Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) is a new service offered by the Office of the Manager, National Communications System (OMNCS), to meet national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) requirements for the use of public, defense, or Federal telephone networks by Government departments, agencies, and other authorized users.  Developed in response to White House tasking, GETS provides emergency access and specialized processing in local and long-distance telephone networks.  GETS access is through a simple dialing plan and personal identification number (PIN).

**Telecommunications Daily**

**Wednesday Sep 24, 2003**

**GETS WORKS!**

**Operational Since 1995**

**Over 79,000 PINs**

**User Successes**

**Hurricane Fran**

**Hurricane Bertha**

**Hurricane Opal**

**Reno Floods**

**Oregon Floods**

**Kobe Earthquake**

**Alaskan Wildfires**

**Sections**
- A  News
- B  IECs
- C  LECs
- D  Service

- 35 Cents

**Korean Airline Crash**

**Typhoon Keith**

**Super Typhoon Paka**

**Oklahoma City**

_***Hurricanes***_
_***Bonnie & Georges***_

**Nisqually Earthquake**

**Sep. 11 Attacks**

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**Notes:**
[this is a highly animated slide and brings in each element in order and highlights experience using the service]