As the Covid19 pandemic continue to baffle the world. Social distancing and social-media networking became the norm in the new normal. Almost all of the available applications rely or is anchored on the availability of an internet connection for it to work. This way of communicating with people and friends, with government and front-line gave the convenience during the lockdown. The internet Originally conceived as a communications network for humanity during a crisis has come a long way. But in this moment, it’s being put to use for that original purpose.
Can you imagine how bad it would be when our country, still in the midst of combatting Covid19, suddenly is hit by natural disaster or calamity knocking -off public communications facilities, infrastructies and system. A disaster so bad killing all access to the world-wide-web and the internet. When social-distancing, health management, communicating and facilitating assistance is paramount requirement to an effective government response? I am afraid this will happen. Me thinks I know how and I want to contribute. For over 2 decades now my work involved connecting remote areas and locations via wireless & wired communication technologies. It started with terrestrial analog TV and 2-way radio in the 80s then I became fascinated with long-range phone extenders in the 90s. The phone extender can haul a dial-tone using a pair of high-power full-duplex radio with external yagi antenna for connection ranging up to 100-200km point-to-point. It was amazing to call local and long-distance a Davao, Manila or an international number from a remote community bereft of communication services. Mobile phone and SMS was still in infancy. Our group installed many phone extenders and PCO/LEC in remote isolated villages for operators and private companies. My stint with a telco in early 2000s had me handling Wireless Local Loop (WLL) or simply called wireless phone local-exchange service with signal coverage up to 30km radius from base station. With it, I spearheaded the establishment of Public Calling Office (PCO) and small community telephone or mini local-exchange (LEC) in remote rural communities. The phone system later expanded to offer DSL internet using microwave and IP-Radio to haul internet from city to remote areas. From handling WLL in 2003 I was re-assigned to handle a sales territory in 2007 to market Data Services, DSL, LEC and the new mobile wireless phone using CDMA technology which our company offered to compliment GSM but under a different business model . Of course, the technical training was important. It was the first wireless mobile landline phone service with a fixed monthly as opposed to GSM phone service with roaming capability. The CDMA also was capable of internet of up to 384Kbps a big improvement from 56Kbps dial-up internet. Wireless ISP (WISP) using WLAN or so-called IP-Radio and Wi-Fi became the fad. I worked with pioneering people providing dedicated internet to local WISP, cable operators and internet cafes. It was at this point I decided to become a systems integrator. The year was 2010 when I became a full-fledged communication systems integrator on project-base. From 2010 until today, connecting and delivering voice, data, video and internet traffic for private and government customers was my occupation. It was good toiling in a difficult landscape while constantly facing hard competition and rapid technology changes. Technology changes was always constant in the equation. The task of a Systems Integrator is enhancing operational and business continuity. The total-solution we offer covers wired/wireless connectivity over LAN/WAN and internet for a myriad of application and implementations options including VSAT, back-up power, security, lightning-protection and many others. Me thinks I was being prepared for this. I had a short stint (two terms totalling 6-years) as municipal councilor of Bansalan (Davao del Sur) my hometown. I've worked with several LGU customers so I know the level of connectivity there is between Barangays and municipal office in terms of existing network infra. Except for some technology-savvy LGUs there is really no communication lane (virtual hi-way) between the Barangays and municipal except for 2-way radio and little bit of internet. But how would an LGU manage to conduct on-line messaging, on-line virtual meetings, web and video-conferencing, live-streaming and social-media networking when INTERNET is down. When INFRA and Communication Systems are I am blessed to have access, knowledge and actual experience. I know a workaround for this challenging and fearful disaster-scenarios. I reckoned, me joining on several occasions past 3 years a number of military-exercises for conduct of capability demonstrations or so-called Proof-of-Concept (POC) or demo with the objective to showcase our solutions, was not a waste of time and money. Always hands-on. I sat side-by-side with US, Taiwanese, Korean & Israeli counterparts in the process gaining deep insights and knowledge. Rather, it was an eye-opener, a successful immersion and confidence-building experience; boosted and bolstered my analytical skills. Although DND has prioritized on acquisition of weaponry. The experience will not go to waste. No question or doubt, our solution platform deployed as "Proof-of-Concept" (POC) worked and performed well, to the satisfaction of the exercise objectives. There is no reason it won't work in public safety, emergency, calamity and disaster. The quest for meaningful breakthrough never ceased. My effort to learn new workable and complimenting technology that when combined, results to a viable connectivity platform and applications useful for LGUs. The purpose Disaster-Help-Tools-for-LGUs.
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