GERMANTOWN, Md., June 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network
Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an innovator in satellite technologies and
networks for 50 years, helps small businesses prepare for an active
2021 hurricane season with its subscription-based Internet backup
service HughesNet® Internet Continuity and five tips for
storm preparation. Each year, hurricanes pose a threat to
land-based Internet access over cable, fiber, DSL, and cellular
infrastructure, resulting in the loss of essential small business
functions such as credit card processing and connection to
web-based applications.
"Natural disasters such as hurricanes threaten land-based
connections and create an urgent need for communications," said
Peter Gulla, senior vice president,
Hughes. "One of many advantages of satellite connectivity is that
the technology is 22,000 miles above the earth – outside the impact
of severe storms. HughesNet Internet Continuity uses satellites to
help small businesses maintain access when wired Internet
infrastructure is damaged."
Subscription-based Internet backup services, such as HughesNet
Internet Continuity, help maintain operations and communication
channels during unexpected outages. The HughesNet service features
an Automatic Failover Router attached to both the primary
terrestrial service and the satellite backup connection. If the
primary service goes down, the router automatically switches
connectivity from terrestrial to satellite. When the primary
service is restored, it automatically switches back again.
Here are five tips to help small businesses prepare for
hurricane season:
1. Create an
Emergency Action Plan Checklist
It is vital to have an
emergency action plan checklist to ensure fast recovery after a
disaster occurs. The list should include contact details for
coworkers and support services, plus log-in information for
essential business functions such as web portals, social media and
bank accounts.
2. Establish
Roles and Responsibilities
In emergencies, it is
critical to understand roles and responsibilities. Determining a
clear chain of command in advance helps minimize confusion and
ensure appropriate actions take place. For businesses, key roles
include maintaining critical operations, contacting customers, and
accounting for all employees.
3. Download &
Bookmark Emergency Information Apps
In natural
disasters, functioning communications services can mean the
difference between life and death. Prepare ahead of time by
downloading emergency notification mobile apps such as those from
the American Red Cross or FEMA. It helps to bookmark websites like
the National Weather Service Real-Time Spotter to track storms
locally.
4. Establish
Communication Channels
Some emergency notification
systems broadcast alerts through text messages, while others may
broadcast through phone calls. Take some time to consider which
communication channel would be most effective for workers and
customers. For example, it might benefit businesses with more field
workers than office personnel to opt for a text-based mass
notification system. Alternately, if most employees are in the
office, software that includes email alerts might be more
effective. Companies often choose systems that provide
multi-channel communication to alert employees on all the channels
they may use, including SMS text, phone/voicemail, email, and
social media.
5. Make
Provisions for Shelter-in-Place or Evacuation
One of the
most challenging decisions people face in an emergency is whether
to evacuate or shelter-in-place. It is crucial to have
comprehensive plans in place for both scenarios. Ensure both home
and business locations have adequate supplies, such as food, water,
and safety kits. Don't forget to include technology redundancies,
such as fully charged devices, extra batteries, flashlights,
radios, and supplemental external power sources.
Named the Best Satellite Internet Provider of 2021 by U.S. News
& World Report 360 Reviews, HughesNet connects more than
1,500,000 families and businesses across the Americas at broadband
speeds in areas that wire-line providers have largely bypassed.
This includes recently secured additional capacity over
Puerto Rico, a region hit
particularly hard by hurricanes the past few years.
To learn more about HughesNet Internet Continuity,
visit internetcontinuity.hughesnet.com.
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems,
LLC (HUGHES), an innovator in satellite and multi-transport
technologies and networks for 50 years, provides broadband
equipment and services; managed services featuring smart,
software-defined networking; and end-to-end network operation for
millions of consumers, businesses, governments, and communities
worldwide. The Hughes flagship Internet service,
HughesNet®, connects more than 1.5 million subscribers
across the Americas, and the Hughes JUPITER™ System powers Internet
access for tens of millions more worldwide. Hughes supplies more
than half the global satellite terminal market to leading satellite
operators, in-flight service providers, mobile network operators,
and military customers. A managed network services provider, Hughes
supports nearly 500,000 enterprise sites with its HughesON™
portfolio of wired and wireless solutions. Headquartered in
Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes
is owned by EchoStar. To learn more, visit www.hughes.com or follow
HughesConnects on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is
a premier global provider of satellite communication solutions.
Headquartered in Englewood, Colo.,
and conducting business around the globe, EchoStar is a pioneer in
communications technologies through its Hughes Network Systems and
EchoStar Satellite Services business segments. For more
information, visit echostar.com. Follow @EchoStar on
Twitter.
©2021 Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company. Hughes
and HughesNet are registered trademarks, and JUPITER is a trademark
of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.
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SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC