Agencies urged to create backup communications services

Key government facilities need back-up communications services, according to a new report by Randolph May, senior fellow at the Progress and Freedom Foundation.

"A targeted policy should be adopted requiring the federal government to focus in a systematic way on the need for truly redundant communications facilities at buildings and installations where federal agencies are housed," May said. Truly redundant facilities mean the alternate communications system uses separate facilities, he said.

The Homeland Security Department or the General Services Administration should oversee the implementation of the redundant communications facilities, either through regulations or issuing guidelines.

The lesson policymakers should take from the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, is "our communications system is most likely to fail precisely when we need it most," May said.