Cubic Helps Residents and First Responders Get Connected in Puerto Rico

In Vieques, a GATR antenna is currently providing connectivity for almost the entire island including cellular service for residents to text and call loved ones as well as internet connectivity for a local pharmacy to fill prescriptions, businesses to run credit cards and city hall officials to conduct business and stay in touch with national relief organizations. It has also helped reactivate the cell service enabling 911 dispatchers to send medical aid and other emergency services to those in need. 

"We truly appreciate getting connected to the internet because we have a lot of work to do," said a Vieques pharmacy manager. "We can now refill critical prescriptions and look up insurance for our patients who have been without their medications for weeks."

Other residents thanked Cubic's techs and one person told them that this was a "game-changer" and he was shocked the team had reestablished communications in less than five hours upon their arrival.

Another GATR antenna mounted on the top of the Army National Guard roof is providing a free Wi-Fi hotpot to disaster victims. Additional antennas are providing the same services throughout the island.

"We understand the importance of staying connected to loved ones, especially during these difficult times," said Brad Feldmann, president and chief executive officer of Cubic Corporation.  "Our unique technology has restored communications for residents of Puerto Rico and we will continue to provide our services to help as many people as we can."

Since the GATR 2.4-meter antenna is inflatable, it can be packed and transported in two cases weighing less than 100 pounds each or one case less than 87 pounds for the 1.2-meter version. This enables recovery workers to get to the islands quickly via helicopter or small boat and establish  critical communications  until traditional satellites (fixed rigid dish technology) can be brought in to replace the GATR antennas.  

"GATR satellite systems are invaluable during humanitarian and disaster response missions," said Mike Twyman, president of Cubic Mission Solutions.  "They provide high-bandwidth satellite connections for rescue and recovery responders as well as disaster victims to access to data, video and voice communications in the most extreme environments."

Our partners, such as Global DIRT (Disaster Immediate Response Team – a non-profit that provides aid during disasters) and Vanu (a cellular networking company), have also been instrumental in aiding the efforts to restore connectivity quickly on the island.  "The GATR antennas are mission critical right now. Working with the Cubic team and Vanu is  allowing us to restore connectivity and help the residents of  Puerto Rico until traditional satellite communications can be put in place – which can take weeks," said Adam Marlatt, founder of Global DIRT.

"We worked with Cubic years ago and when I learned that Cubic was deploying satellite systems to Puerto Rico, I reached out and offered our cellular connectivity to the satellite deployment," said Vanu Bose, chief executive officer of Vanu, Inc.

GATR antennas have been deployed in response to natural disasters since 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. Additionally, GATR antennas were utilized to aid Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts in Houston, Texas and Hurricane Irma recovery efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

About Cubic Corporation

Cubic Corporation designs, integrates and operates systems, products and services focused in the transportation, defense training and secure communications markets. Cubic Transportation Systems is a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services to create intelligent travel solutions for transportation authorities and operators. Cubic Global Defense is a leading provider of live, virtual, constructive and game-based training solutions, special operations and intelligence for the U.S. and allied forces. Cubic Mission Solutions provides networked Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities for defense, intelligence, security and commercial missions. For more information about Cubic, please visit the company's website at www.cubic.com or on Twitter @CubicCorp.

SOURCE Cubic Corporation

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