DISA modernizes, enhances DOD’s network services in Hawaii
DISA’s dedication to operating a modern network that enables warfighter lethality is evident in the Pacific Enterprise Services – Hawaii (PES-HI) program.
The PES-HI program consists of three contract vehicles supporting the delivery of DOD Information Network (DODIN) infrastructure services, and shifts existing analog communications for Department of Defense (DOD) personnel in Hawaii to an upgraded internet protocol (IP) technology architecture, providing features such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and web conferencing.
The previous contract vehicle, Joint Hawaii Information Transfer System (JHITS), was initially awarded in 2006, and during the contract’s lifetime, it provided more than 45,000 Defense Switched Network (DSN) telephone line services for U.S. personnel in areas such as Singapore, Wake Island, and the Kwajalein Atoll. JHITS also provided 3,100 point-to-point intra-Hawaii dedicated transmission circuits for DOD telecommunications services.
PES-HI Deputy Program Manager Army Maj. Ernesto Gumbs said the new contracts align with DISA’s strategy to acquire, build, and develop state-of-the-art technology in support of a modernized DODIN. Using PES-HI, customers will operate on an updated network architecture while also realizing significant cost savings.
“PES-HI provides the capability to eliminate legacy voice and data services and allow the customer to transition to IP,” said Gumbs. “From a cost perspective, legacy TDM (copper lines) are becoming more expensive … Pacific Command (PACOM) customers will benefit from a significant cost reduction as a result of migrating to an IP backbone. Long term, PES-HI will modernize communications infrastructure to meet DOD requirements and provide cost savings and survivability to PACOM customers.”
PES-HI, implemented in accordance with the DOD Chief Information Officer Unified Capabilities Requirements (UCR) mandate in 2013, recently validated its significance during the world’s largest international maritime exercise — Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).
RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's interconnected oceans.
During this year’s event, PES-HI’s upgraded technology successfully provisioned all pier-side communication services for visiting U.S. Navy and foreign mission partner ships supporting the exercise. Pier-side communications are for ships requesting phone and data services when they come to port in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. For the PES-HI program, this amounted to more than 600 circuit actions involving 52 vessels during the month of June.
As migration continues, Gumbs said customers shouldn’t experience any difficulties or interruptions.
“Implementation will be seamless and customer impact will be minimal,” he said. “PES-HI will continue to provide existing services, allowing the military departments an opportunity for a graceful migration to modernize.”
He also said legacy services provided through JHITS were fully absorbed into the PES-HI program on day one.
Posted July 18, 2018