Sometimes We Are Drowning In WiFi But Sometimes Comms Get Drowned

The recent floods in the North Island of New Zealand have exposed how vulnerable our communication channels can be during emergencies. As the floods hit, people were cut off from the world without any means of communication. Some people had to wait for over a week to get in touch with their loved ones. This situation emphasizes the need for a reliable and efficient communication system that can be deployed at short notice.

One of the ways to address this issue is by having mobile response WiFi communication gear that can be deployed quickly. This device would consist of an enterprise-level WiFi hotspot that has a large battery and multiple connection options such as cellular and Starlink satellite. With this equipment, people could communicate with their loved ones and get in touch with emergency services to seek help.

Having a mobile response WiFi communication gear would be particularly helpful in disaster situations where traditional communication channels have been disrupted. It would be a vital resource for people in remote areas who lack reliable internet infrastructure. In addition, it would also help emergency responders to communicate and coordinate their activities efficiently.

The importance of mobile response WiFi communication gear cannot be overstated. This equipment could be used not only during emergencies but also in remote areas where internet connectivity is limited. The device could be deployed in schools, hospitals, and other critical facilities to provide reliable internet connectivity.

Moreover, the equipment could be used to support various activities such as education, healthcare, and e-commerce in remote areas. This could help bridge the digital divide and provide opportunities for people in remote areas to access the internet and its various benefits.

During times when there isn’t the need for such emergency gear, it could be used by community organisations and larger event organisers to offer WiFi hotspots in areas that normally don’t have free WiFi. This would have the benefit of making sure the hardware is in working order at all times and others get to benefit from it rather than it sitting locked away in a cupboard 95% of the time.

As a lot of people in Christchurch would remember from the earthquakes there were limited options for communication. Immediately after the quakes, the cellular systems were slammed by an influx of people trying to use the phone networks be it voice, txt, or data causing havoc for hours, and by nightfall, the cell towers that were without power ran out of batteries leaving half the city in darkness for both power and communications.

It took days but over time the cell towers came back online allowing some reprieve but it would have been better if there were locations where we knew we could access communications. A mobile response WiFi communication gear that can be deployed at short notice could be an essential resource during emergencies and allow communities some added peace of mind.

It would help people communicate with their loved ones and emergency services and support various activities that require internet connectivity. It would be a small investment that should be considered by the government and other organizations involved to have added emergency response communications and provide internet access to those that need it.