Cell phone Quote by Garrett M. Graff
““To address concerns about how the cellular networks were overloaded during the 9/11 attacks, the government quietly launched the Wireless Priority Service in December 2002—a system, similar to the landline-based GETS, that guaranteed critical officials and key private sector industries priority access to cell towers in an emergency. Each user on the system could access the priority calling by dialing *272 from their WPS-enabled cell phone—a privilege for which the government charged agencies and industries $4.50 per device per month—and each user had a unique personal ID code that helped to specify priority levels within the calling””
About This Quote
Source Report: Wired Magazine, “The Wireless Priority Service”, 2003
The government created a special phone system to give emergency officials and key industries priority access to cellular networks during crises.
In simple terms: A priority phone system lets critical users jump the line in emergencies.
Key Takeaway
Use dedicated priority channels for essential communications.
Themes
emergency management
telecommunications
government policy
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
policy
informative
When to use this quote
- disaster response
- critical infrastructure
- government agencies
- private sector partners
Key Concepts
priority access
network resilience
public safety
Questions to Reflect On
- How can priority access be balanced with fairness?
- What alternatives exist for emergency communications?
A Different Perspective
Limited to those who pay and have the equipment; not all emergencies need such a system.
