In October 2025, Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) faced a catastrophic situation as Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica and brought destruction to the island nation.

Within hours, terrestrial infrastructure that could have been used to enable emergency response operations had been torn apart by winds, floods and landslides. For the worst-affected communities, the ensuing silence became as dangerous as the storm itself.

TSF worked alongside Eutelsat partners including Neptune Communications to restore a connectivity lifeline needed for first responders to coordinate rescue efforts, access medical care and reconnect loved ones separated as a result of the storm. The operational requirements were clear: secure, reliable connectivity for command and control, voice and data services for field teams, and networks capable of sustaining continuous operations under austere conditions that met both humanitarian standards and government requirements.

The Challenge

When Hurricane Melissa struck, the widespread outage of ground infrastructure left thousands cut off from essential public services and emergency coordination. Approximately 120,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, with thousands displaced across the island and schools forced to close indefinitely.

Health officials faced the risk of disease outbreaks at evacuation centres; many field hospitals and clinics had no way to coordinate care or share patient data. Local businesses shut down, cutting off livelihoods and supply chains at a moment when their resilience mattered most.

Families separated during evacuation had no means to confirm safety or arrange reunification, compounding trauma and uncertainty. When natural disasters strike and terrestrial networks fail, communities lose their ability to call for help and coordinate relief operations.

Critical Need: Rapidly Deployable Satellite Connectivity

Emergency responders and humanitarian organisations on the island required satellite-based solutions that could be moved into position quickly and would operate independently of compromised terrestrial infrastructure. The operational requirements were clear:

• Deployable network access: Connectivity for command and control, situational reporting and inter-agency coordination across multiple response teams
• Broadband with low latency: Voice, video and data services for field operations, rapid decision-making and resource allocation in high-pressure environments
• Network resilience: Robust service continuity in austere conditions to meet both humanitarian standards and government requirements
• Procurement: Service design within public procurement frameworks; transparent cost structures, and responsible use of relief funds
• Compliance and security: Services that adhere to data-protection regulations and secure handling of sensitive data (health, logistics, personal information)

For organisations like TSF, the challenge was to implement a communications backbone that would support life-saving operations from day one and through months of recovery.

The Solution: Rapidly Deployable Satellite Connectivity

Eutelsat delivered rapidly deployable satellite connectivity for exactly this scenario. Using VSAT terminals and GEO satellite internet services, response teams established broadband links to field hospitals, coordination centres and evacuation points within hours of the storm passing.

The satellite system provided:

• Rapid installations: VSAT terminals were deployed at critical sites, enabling life-saving coordination and medical provision without waiting for terrestrial repairs
• Secure voice and data channels: Encrypted satellite links supported humanitarian teams with the bandwidth needed for real-time collaboration, telemedicine consultations and logistics management
• Connectivity for families to communicate and reunite: Public Wi-Fi zones allowed displaced residents to reach relatives, share vital information and begin the process of rebuilding

Eutelsat's GEO capability ensured coverage even in the most remote and damaged areas. The solution integrated seamlessly with existing emergency management workflows, providing disaster recovery and humanitarian assistance tailored to the operational realities of crisis zones.

Network resilience features, including redundant paths and priority access, guaranteed that critical services remained online throughout the emergency. For public sector leaders planning for resilience, Eutelsat's civil government satellite services offer proven procurement pathways, cybersecurity compliance and the operational flexibility required to meet strict regulatory and budgetary constraints.

As Jamaicans at home and abroad come together to rebuild and recover in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the importance of dependable and resilient communication systems has never been clearer. At Neptune Communications, we remain steadfast, present, and at work to keep Jamaica #AlwaysOn during this challenging time.

Julian Jordan

CEO Neptune Communications

 

Impact: Lives Saved, Families Reunited

Satellite connectivity played a key role in Jamaica's relief operations, enabling coordinated response efforts that would have been impossible without resilient communications infrastructure.

With 1,500 unique devices accessing Wi-Fi and four coordination centres connected for TSF alone, aid teams coordinated rescue missions, medical triage and logistics without delay. Satellite links enabled real-time collaboration between emergency services, government agencies and international relief organisations, ensuring resources reached the most vulnerable communities.

Thousands of displaced residents reconnected with loved ones during the crisis, reducing uncertainty and supporting mental health in the immediate aftermath. TSF and partner agencies maintained uninterrupted communication throughout the emergency and into the recovery phase, demonstrating the strategic value of satellite internet as a backbone for disaster response.

Eutelsat's multi-orbit capabilities, combining GEO stability with the agility of its low-latency LEO satellite constellation, ensure that resilient connectivity remains available precisely when it is needed most. When terrestrial networks fail, satellite systems ensure that the flow of information, coordination and care continues uninterrupted.

The Challenge

Emergency teams operate where connectivity matters most—and where it often fails. Cellular networks designed for urban and suburban markets can leave vast rural areas underserved. Public safety radio networks too can face capacity and coverage limitations beyond certain boundaries. Without reliable high-speed connectivity, the risk levels for response teams and their operations at the scene of a critical incident are high. Any lack of secure communication can compromise coordination efforts to respond. Thinking to the future, a lack of connectivity can also compromise the arrival of new and emerging technologies designed to strengthen existing systems and emergency service.

• Delayed decision-making: Without real-time data, teams cannot direct responses or treatment in the field
• Operational risk: Coordination of effort is compromised during critical incidents
• Resource inefficiency: People and patients may be transported to other centres unnecessarily, consuming time and capacity

Critical Needs: Standards and Requirements

Blue light service teams need solutions to deliver always-on communications in a zero-connectivity zone; where coverage, network access, interoperability and hardware are robust enough to resist disruption from different angles including: hostile actions, user and traffic congestion, geographic location, physical landscape, climate change and extreme weather. They need connectivity that can be:

• mobile, vehicle-based and rapidly deployable
• interoperable between radio and IP systems
• scalable for sudden spikes in demand 
• accessible beyond traditional coverage areas.

Our Solution: Mobile Satellite and Hybrid Connectivity

Eutelsat's local partnership in New York state, with IP Access and Dejero, is in service to deliver always-on, off-grid coverage using satellite and hybrid networking technology. Fire trucks, ambulances, and battalion chief rigs have been equipped with portable, transportable satellite antennas and the IP Access SuperGIG™ solution that combines satellite-backed connectivity with terrestrial networks for real-time mobile data exchange. The solution features Intellian OW10HV antennas working with Dejero 211 GateWays, and Eutelsat’s LEO coverage.

Key Features:

• Assured and self-managed services for prioritised traffic and authorised personnel in the field and on the move
• Secured, high-capacity network for mission-critical use, supported by secure satellite connectivity for government operations
• Dynamic bandwidth allocation during emergencies, with proven disaster recovery and humanitarian connectivity capabilities

The Impact: Strengthening Emergency Management

“This isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a lifeline in the field.”​ One first responder shared that their call, which would normally drop mid-route, stayed connected the entire drive back to command centre. Emergency teams—including police, fire and medical services—can improve early diagnosis and treatments in situ, with access to support specialists with their skills and knowledge located elsewhere. 

• Connected teams—police, fire and EMS services—can improve overall care and treatment 
• Services at the scene can avoid unnecessary use of additional resources and reduce strain on limited public service budgets