SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Office of Origin: DT/EI/NT/GTC)
5 FAH-2 H-651 GENERAL POLICY
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Uniform all agencies)
As set forth in 5 FAM 850, all Department of State domestic organizations and missions abroad must address telecommunications outages and recovery actions in their respective contingency plans. Satellite phones and communications systems are an essential component of contingency planning as they are independent of host country communications infrastructure. DT in conjunction with Satellite service providers or with Diplomatic Telecommunications Service Program Office (DTS-PO) provides fixed satellite systems serving as secondary (alternate) routes complementing posts’ (primary) leased telecommunication circuits and virtual private networks.
5 FAH-2 H-652 POST FIXED SATELLITE
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
a. The Office of Enterprise Network Management (DT/OPS/ENM), in coordination with satellite service providers, DTS-PO, and other organizations, provides overseas posts with fixed satellite systems and leased satellite bandwidth to provide alternate communication paths. Though not normally providing the same level of performance as terrestrial telecommunication circuits due to the latency inherent with high orbit satellites, they provide an essential fallback capability during outages of posts’ primary telecommunication circuit(s).
b. For posts with fixed satellite systems, contact the Enterprise Network Management Operations Center for all circuit outages at (301) 985-8217 or via email at NMOC@state.gov. For assistance with fixed satellite systems, contact the DTS-PO Customer Service Center at (703) 278-1599, toll free at 1-800-438-7457, or email at DTSPO@state.gov.
5 FAH-2 H-653 SATELLITE PHONES
(CT:TEL-83; 05-02-2023)
(Uniform all agencies)
a. Satellite phones are used as conventional phones with special dialing instructions where no telecommunications landline or cellular services are available as a result of geographical remoteness or the loss of mission or host country services.
b. Satellite phones are handheld or vehicular-mounted devices used for voice communications. Satellite phones are an essential component of Department organizations and overseas mission contingency plans, including for use in Alternate Command Centers.
c. Satellite phones do not require careful aiming at a satellite’s orbit but do require the user to be outside or connect to an external antenna if used indoors or in a vehicle.
5 FAH-2 H-654 Mobile/Tactical Satellite Systems
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
a. The DT/FO/ITI/LWS REACH program office provides a variety of mobile/tactical satellite packages for use by posts in remote areas where no telecommunications landline or cellular services are available, and during crises and emergency situations.
b. Some posts in special circumstances have REACH satellite packages onsite, while RIMCs have several forward-deployed for quick deployments in their respective regions.
c. The REACH program office maintains a variety of scalable mobile/tactical satellite systems suitable for various scenarios. The capabilities of these systems range from basic internet access and voice communications to full use of the Department’s OpenNet and ClassNet.
d. Contact the REACH program office at REACH-DSB@state.gov.
5 FAH-2 H-655 Testing and Maintenance
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Uniform State/USAID)
To ensure the operational readiness of all satellite communication assets, post IM personnel implements a monthly test schedule of satellite phones and terminals and train key personnel as directed by post management.
(1) Post IM personnel must report testing of contingency satellite phones or systems to their respective regional bureaus.
(2) If satellite phones or REACH systems equipment malfunctions, contact the RIMC or REACH program office for troubleshooting or repair/return instructions. The repair of satellite phones and REACH systems not under warranty is on a fee-for-service basis and will be paid for by the appropriate bureau in accordance with existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or post must provide fiscal data when returning a terminal for repair services. For fixed satellite systems, contact ENM.
5 FAH-2 H-656 FUNDING AND PROCUREMENT
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
a. Funding and procurement of satellite phones and systems differ on the nature of the requirement, the customer, and circumstances.
b. Satellite bandwidth may assume an additional cost depending on the nature of the requirement, the customer, and circumstances.
c. Department offices and other agencies under chief of mission authority should first contact post’s IM staff for information regarding the funding and procurement of authorized department satellite systems or contact reach-dsb@state.gov for reach satellite systems or DT/OPS/ENM for fixed satellite systems.
5 FAH-2 H-657 THROUGH H-659 UNASSIGNED