ITU-D MDRU Project: an Introduction

Toshikazu SAKANO,NTT Network Innovation Laboratories

in Yokosuka, Japan.sakano.toshikazu@lab.ntt.co.jp

ITU Panel as a side event of LLDC on “Addressing Connectivity Challenges in LLDCs”

(Vienna, Austria, 3 November 2014)

1

Contents

Background and overview

What is MDRU?

ITU-D MDRU Project: scope and current status

Summary

2

Background and overview of MDRU R&D Project

An R&D project aiming at reducing the ICT service demand/supply gap was launched in March 2012 with a support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan.

Member organizations are NTT Network Innovation Labs., NTT Communications, Tohoku University and Fujitsu.

The goal of the project is to establish the network and services for disaster affected area fast and flexible.

To reach this goal, we proposed a resilient network architecture based on a movable and deployable ICT resource unit ( we call MDRU).

Once a disaster occurs, an MDRU is carried to a disaster affected area and promptly delivers ICT services to the people around the unit locally.

Wide area network

Datacenters

MDRU

Optical fibersWired LAN

Telecom building

HUB

Wireless Access

3

4

Let me show you a video on what MDRU is all about.

Roadmap of MDRU proto-typing

Mobility/ Expandability/ FlexibilitySmall Large

ICT R

esou

rce C

ap

acit

y/

Rob

ustn

ess

Large-size MDRU

Medium-size MDRU

Modularized MDRU

Miniaturization of MDRU

Small unit with limited function

IP-PBXBatter

yWi-Fi AP

“ICT Car”

Extension of areas and capacity by networking MDRUs Attaché case type MDRU

Sm

all

Larg

e

Small-size MDRU

5

Disaster occurs somewhere in the world all the time

6

In November, 2013, Super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) crossed the middle of Philippines and caused devastating damage.

Securing the connectivity in the Securing the connectivity in the disaster area is always the first disaster area is always the first

priority over every restoring priority over every restoring activitiesactivities

ITU-D launched an MDRU Project

ITU-D quickly responded to this situation and proposed an MDRU project.The objective of the project is to install an MDRU in northern Cebu in Philippine and conduct a feasibility study to confirm the effectiveness of MDRU and also to contribute to the restoration of the typhoon affected area.

ITU-D, MIC (Japanese Government) and DOST(Philippine Government) signed the agreement for this project in the middle of May this year.

7

Stakeholders for the project

The project is led by ITU-D (Project leader; Mrs. Gisa Fuatai Purcell) Philippine-side: DOST/ICTO conduct the project with the collaboration of

CVISNET. Japan-side: MIC plays the acting role with the collaboration of NTT group

The project is led by ITU-D (Project leader; Mrs. Gisa Fuatai Purcell) Philippine-side: DOST/ICTO conduct the project with the collaboration of

CVISNET. Japan-side: MIC plays the acting role with the collaboration of NTT group

DOST/ICTO

CVISNET

MIC

NTT Group

ITU-D(Project Leader: Mrs. Gisa Fuatai Purcell)

Philippine sideJapan side

San Remigio City

DOSTVII

8

Planned feasibility study

In the study, MDRU deployment in the disaster affected area is simulated as a disaster drill. This simulation plans to be conducted several times during the project period.

By conducting the items above with the operation of volunteer-based municipal employees and residents, the study confirms the feasibility and effectiveness of the MDRU solution.

In the study, MDRU deployment in the disaster affected area is simulated as a disaster drill. This simulation plans to be conducted several times during the project period.

By conducting the items above with the operation of volunteer-based municipal employees and residents, the study confirms the feasibility and effectiveness of the MDRU solution.

Wi-Fi network area

Refugee information

Municipal Hall

Shelter

IP-based telephone

Refugee information

9

Summary

MDRU is now not just an R&D outcome, but is about to be a real countermeasure for natural disasters and other threats.

ITU-D MDRU project has already started as the training of MDRU operation to the people in Cebu.

10

Grand launching of the project with the installation of core part of MDRU is planned in December this year and the feasibility study will last until September next year.

Thank you for your kind attention.

11

For more information, please access to Dr. Toshikazu Sakano at,

sakano.toshikazu@lab.ntt.co.jp

Acknowledgement:A part of MDRU R&D in Japan is from “the R&D on the reconfigurable communication resource unit for disaster recovery,” and “the R&D on “Movable ICT Units” for emergency transportation into disaster-affected areas and multi-unit connection,” both supported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan.