Rockwell unveils emergency network to help during disasters that disable traditional communications networks

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans' radio system was largely out of service for three days.

Up to 2,000 cellular phone towers were knocked out and a 400-foot communications tower built to withstand 150-mile-per-hour winds fell over.

Realizing that public safety communications are critical during such emergencies, Rockwell Collins has developed ARINC UrgentLink, a national disaster communications network for public safety.

The network enables first responders, public health, public safety and critical industry officials to communicate with each other when traditional networks are damaged or destroyed.

'Natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy have, unfortunately, demonstrated the limitations of the current communications infrastructure,” said Jeff Standerski, senior vice president, Information Management Services for Rockwell Collins. in a news release.

'ARINC UrgentLink is the first network capable of providing reliable communications coverage, even inside the area most directly impacted by the disaster.”

The ARINC UrgentLink network uses Federal Communications Commission licensed radio frequencies authorized for disasters and Rockwell Collins' proprietary high frequency technology. The network does not rely on electric power in the affected area, which can render traditional communication equipment and networks inoperative during a disaster.

Standerski said the ARINC UrgentLink network is available in selected regions. It ultimately will be available nationwide as a subscription-based service.

Cedar Rapids-based Rockwell Collins acquired ARINC in December 2013 for $1.4 billion, significantly expanding its information management systems business.