Created by Seattle Public Utilities and operating on SkyTerra’s satellite communications network, I-SMART will serve government and private sector critical infrastructure agencies, including transportation and utility/public work entities involved in distribution/support of water, electricity, gas and petroleum, throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

 

“The creation of I-SMART expands SkyTerra’s SMART program across borders, providing critical and interoperable, inter-agency communications across multiple states, provinces and nations,” said Jim Corry, vice president of customer solutions for SkyTerra. “Additional international talkgroups are currently under development and, along with the other SMART talkgroups, will provide essential emergency-related communications between users of the talkgroups.”

 

I-SMART joins SkyTerra’s network of six nationwide and nine regional SMART talkgroups providing public service organizations – and now private sector critical infrastructure agencies – a rapid, reliable and interoperable tool to communicate for both day-to-day operations and in times of emergency.

 

Working with SkyTerra, the Seattle Public Utilities, Office of Emergency Management (SPU-OEM) will manage, provide 24x7 monitoring and approve participation in I-SMART by government and appropriate private sector users with a critical infrastructure/public works mission.

 

“The I-SMART talkgroup will serve as an important supplement to existing interoperable communications at all levels of critical infrastructure,” said Ned Worcester, manager of I-SMART for SPU-OEM. “For critical infrastructure entities already using SkyTerra’s technology, this talkgroup represents a major step forward in critical infrastructure interoperability, particularly when terrestrial networks are damaged or congested.”

 

All critical infrastructure entities with active accounts on the SkyTerra network are eligible and encouraged to join I-SMART at no charge by way of application to SPU-OEM. A copy of the Standard Operating Procedures and application are available from: ISMART-SPU@seattle.gov or by calling (206) 233-2000.

 

SkyTerra is developing an integrated satellite-terrestrial communications network, based on SkyTerra’s patented ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) technology. The company expects its next-generation network will provide seamless, transparent and ubiquitous wireless coverage of the United States and Canada to conventional handsets. SkyTerra plans to launch two of the most powerful commercial satellites ever built that will enable this network to support communications in a variety of market segments including public safety, homeland security, aviation, transportation and entertainment, by providing a platform for interoperable, user-friendly and feature-rich voice and high-speed data services. 

SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTCBB: SKYT) owns 100% of SkyTerra LP. SkyTerra LP and SkyTerra (Canada), Inc. jointly operate the MSAT satellites and telecommunications network.