The Government of Tonga has commissioned a dedicated PacRICS (Pacific Rural Internet Connectivity System) system to handle communications for the investigation and search and rescue effort. PacRICS is the SPC/Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid) project designed to provide affordable Internet connections to rural and remote villages using a VSAT (very small aperture terminal) satellite system.
Often in national disasters the normal communication systems get overloaded by public enquiries, causing delays in official efforts. PacRICS is a standalone system, completely separate from the existing national communications system and is ideal as a rapid response communications system for disasters. (Source: SPC)
For further information, please visit:
http://www.spc.int/corp/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=430&lang=EN
