Critical communications

One of the TV news clips I saw in the wake of last Tuesday's horrific events was of a New York City firefighter talking on a wireless phone, presumably to a family member. He said, "You have to call them and tell them I'm OK. They need to hear your voice, just like you needed to hear mine."

Cover image: AP Photo/ Stuart Ramson Special Report Main Page

In the moments and hours and days that follow incidents like last week's, access to instant communications is a reflex--and an expectation. People want and need immediate contact with people they know to ensure their safety, with those who need their assistance and with those who can help them deal with their grieving. The networks that carry voice and data and video not only are critical to emergency response and law enforcement efforts, they also contribute greatly to the comfort and healing of people around the world who are touched by these tragic events.

Virtually everyone has a story that proves this theory: You picked up the phone as soon as you heard to check on the safety of family, friends and colleagues in New York or Washington and people you knew were traveling. You received calls and e-mails from eyewitnesses on the scene, telling you they were safe and recounting the shocking events. A stranger on a train or on the street loaned you a cellular phone because your battery was dead and you needed to reach someone right then. You sat glued to a TV station or a Web site--or both--as history unfolded.

Further proof lies in the many sad and incredible stories that are being told and retold in the media: People trapped in the remains of the World Trade Center made phone calls that helped rescue workers pinpoint their locations. U.S. law enforcement agents intercepted phone calls between members of known terrorist organizations after attacks, providing clues as to who committed the crimes. Passengers and flight attendants on hijacked planes called family and 911 centers, providing critical information about the hijackers and, perhaps, some comfort in having the chance to say goodbye.

For those reasons and more, Telephony decided to devote a portion of this week's issue to the effects and future consequences of last week's bombings on communications networks and the industry.

Our coverage begins with a report by Senior Editor Glenn Bischoff on whether telecom networks could have been better prepared for the strain of the overwhelming volume of traffic that ensued and what the cost of that preparation might be. Business Editor Vince Ryan reports on the projected financial impact of the events and how reverberations are already being felt in economic markets throughout the world.

Senior Editor Lynnette Luna examines the likely impact on the wireless industry's efforts to secure additional spectrum for its third-generation efforts-spectrum that is currently under the control of the U.S. Department of Defense. And News Editor Donny Jackson examines possible repercussions on foreign workers in the telecom industry.

Our coverage also includes a list of communications companies that had facilities in the World Trade Center. And on the final page of this issue, we remember the people from this industry who were identified as victims of last week's attacks. We will continue to provide information on the losses of industry colleagues as it is made available in coming weeks.

On behalf of the staff of Telephony, I offer our condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all the victims of this tragedy. Our thoughts are with you.
Contact Jason Meyers at jmeyers@primediabusiness.com.