Talking sense

Disaster-stricken areas suffering from a collapse of communications may be able to restore connections with the outside world more efficiently using a solution proposed by

.

Formally the BBC World Service's transmission and distribution department, the UK-based company is offering a four-stage approach in crisis areas ranging from transmitting messages into affected regions within 24 hours of a disaster, to the construction and operation of a permanent communications infrastructure once the situation has improved.

'If you analyse these disasters it is almost like a medical situation. First there is a quick response to move in and get some communication going in the region and then you can stand back and do a more considered response,' said Josh Sparks, head of VT's product and development.

According to him there is not an existing end-to-end strategy on offer at the moment to deal with these situations, with many different organisations coming together in a crisis to offer solutions where possible.