[FedCom] GETS Phone priority

[Brad Leonard]

I just got one of the GETS cards at work.  For cell calls, there is a form to fill out (remember this is the federal government) and send to the cellphone provider.  For $4.95 a month per line the cell provider will give priority access to a GETS cardholder on a specified cell number.  It is not automatic and must be requested by the individual GETS cardholder.  The cost per minute for GETS access is 10 cents per minute whether from cell or wired line.

The priority is for dialing the GETS dial in number only and not for all calls.

I was detailed to New Orleans after Katrina and we had a simpler way to get through.  Most agents brought their personal cell phones or SIM cards and if we couldn't get through on the agency phone, we'd try the privately owned ones until we found one that worked.  Not pretty, but we never were without service.  In case of a network-clogging emergency rather than an infrastructure-disabling emergency, GETS will show a lot more promise in completing cell calls.  Naturally, on a land line,  getting that initial dialtone is the limiting factor and there is no mechanism for increasing priority for GETS users.

Brad