Kacific CommsBox

What is the innovation?

With the increased intensity and frequency of climate-related disasters, governments, NGOs and aid organisations, now see the urgent need for a better strategy around disaster preparedness and resilience. There is never a more important time for disaster tech than now.  

For Kacific, especially for businesses in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, we are in the region called the ring of fire where volcanoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and typhoons are common disasters. In recent years, there has been a 37% increase in the number of natural disasters worldwide, and every region may face these challenges. 

This is a global issue that requires businesses to be prepared. Some notable examples of natural disasters in the region include the Flooding from Cyclone Penny in Papua New Guinea in 2019, the earthquake and subsequent landslides in the Solomon Islands in 2016, Cyclone Harold in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in 2020, Tropical Cyclone Sarai in Fiji in 2019, the undersea cable cuts off in Tonga in 2019 and the eruption of the Tonga volcano in 2021, which cut Tonga’s main internet connection. These natural disasters can have a significant impact on businesses and communities in the region, which is why it is important for businesses to have disaster preparedness and response plans in place.  

We have designed and launched the most powerful broadband satellite in the Asia Pacific, Kacific1. We connect some of the most vulnerable populations in high-risk areas in the world.   Satellites can work anywhere with a line of sight, where land infrastructure has fallen. Our system builds resilience for rural communities as well, to prevent catastrophic loss of life in the event of a disaster.   

Today we continue to work on more disaster tech solutions, such as our self-contained, portable, all-in-one emergency communications solutions CommsBox, to help local governments, ministries, and growing populations respond more effectively to these events. 

 The CommsBox by Kacific is a crucial disaster tech solution for post-disaster communication, recovery, and relief. It offers a secure and reliable way to communicate in the aftermath of disasters and is the first of its kind in the field of disaster tech solutions.  

Some of the key features of the CommsBox include:  

– Rapid Deployment: It is engineered for quick setup and ease of use in any emergency situation. Its ‘One-button’ activation simplifies and speeds up the deployment process, making it immediately operational in disaster scenarios. 

– Priority Access Connectivity: It provides high-speed internet with priority access and can connect via various modes, such as Wi-Fi, which is important for rescuers to relay multi-media files of patients, aerial footage of disaster zones or more. 

– Durability and Weather Resistance: It’s military-grade aluminium frame is built to withstand extreme conditions, including water and heat resistance. Optimized for extreme conditions to maintain uninterrupted communication. 

– Independent Power Supply: The integration of solar panels and batteries ensures continuous operation, even during power outages, which is frequent in rural and remote countries. 

– Affordability: Offers a cost-effective solution in emergencies, costing significantly less than other emergency communication options which can be three times more expensive for equivalent one-year bandwidth. 

– Ease of Transport: It’s portable design, equipped with wheels, allows for easy transportation to different locations. 

– Link Availability: Offers high link availability between 99.1% and 99.9%. 

The Kacific CommsBox is an innovative disaster tech solution that offers reliable and secure communication during and after disasters. With its multi-functional capabilities, solar-powered self-sustaining design, and military-grade frame, it is a crucial solution in the market for disaster relief.

How does this innovation resolve Pacific-related challenges?

The Commsbox is an innovation uniquely suited to the Pacific Island region, where frequent natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, and tsunamis often disrupt power and communication infrastructure. 

The inclusion of solar panels ensures a reliable power supply, even during extended outages, making the Commsbox a critical resource in disaster-prone environments. Given the region’s geographic isolation and limited infrastructure, the Commsbox provides a dependable communication solution when traditional networks fail. It enhances coordination among governments, aid organizations, and first responders, enabling timely and efficient disaster management. 

The ability to maintain connectivity also supports vulnerable and remote populations, ensuring essential services and aid delivery are not hindered. By improving disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, the Commsbox strengthens the region’s resilience, making it an indispensable tool for Pacific Island nations facing the dual challenges of natural disasters and infrastructure limitations.

Case Studies and more information

Kacific CommsBox, an emergency communication product, can be instantly activated to establish connectivity during disasters. Governments of Fiji, Indonesia, Philippines (DICT, CICC) have acquired CommsBox for their national disaster resilience efforts. The deployment of Kacific CommsBox has significantly enhanced disaster resilience in multiple nations, ensuring reliable communication and response capabilities for government, first aid, medical, and disaster recovery teams in crucial situations. 

Read Testimonial.