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GETS Program
Information
The GETS Concept - How
GETS Works - Operational Concept
- Architecture
The GETS Concept
The Government Emergency Telecommunications
Service (GETS) is a White House-directed emergency phone service
provided by the National Communications System (NCS) in the Office
of Cybersecurity and Communications Division, National Protection
and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security. GETS
supports Federal, State, local, and tribal government, industry,
and non-governmental organization (NGO) personnel in performing
their National Security and Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) missions.
GETS provides emergency access and priority processing in the local
and long distance segments of the Public Switched Telephone Network
(PSTN). It is intended to be used in an emergency or crisis situation
when the PSTN is congested and the probability of completing a call
over normal or other alternate telecommunication means has significantly
decreased.
GETS is necessary because of the increasing
reliance on telecommunications. The economic viability and technical
feasibility of such advances as nationwide fiber optic networks,
high-speed digital switching, and intelligent features have revolutionized
the way we communicate. This growth has been accompanied by an increased
vulnerability to network congestion and system failures. Although
backup systems are in place, disruptions in service can still occur.
Recent events have shown that natural disasters, power outages,
fiber cable cuts, and software problems can cripple the telephone
services of entire regions. Additionally, congestion in the PSTN,
such as the well-documented "Mother's Day phenomenon," can prevent
access to circuits. However, during times of emergency, crisis,
or war, personnel with NS/EP missions need to know that their calls
will go through. GETS addresses this need. Using enhancements based
on existing commercial technology, GETS allows the NS/EP community
to communicate over existing PSTN paths with a high likelihood of
call completion during the most severe conditions of high-traffic
congestion and disruption. The result is a cost-effective, easy-to-use
emergency telephone service that is accessed through a simple dialing
plan and Personal Identification Number (PIN) card verification
methodology. It is maintained in a constant state of readiness as
a means to overcome network outages through such methods as enhanced
routing and priority treatment.
GETS uses these major types of networks:
- The local networks provided by Local Exchange Carriers
(LECs) and wireless providers, such as cellular carriers and personal
communications services (PCS)
- The major long-distance networks provided by Interexchange
Carriers (IXCs) -
AT&T, Verizon Business, and Sprint - including their international
services
- Government-leased networks, such as the Federal
Technology Service (FTS) , the Diplomatic Telecommunication Service
(DTS), and the Defense Switched Network (DSN)
GETS is accessed through a universal access
number using common telephone equipment such as a standard desk
set, STU-III, facsimile, modem, or wireless phone. A prompt will
direct the entry of your PIN and the destination telephone number.
Once you are authenticated as a valid user, your call is identified
as an NS/EP call and receives special treatment.
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