A High-Level Overview

Executive Summary (Leadership-Level)

Communications continuity is not a single system but a layered stack of capabilities designed to function as infrastructure degrades. U.S. government continuity programs intentionally range from priority access on commercial networks to fully infrastructure-independent systems such as high-frequency (HF) radio. Programs like GETS, WPS, FirstNet, and satellite services provide priority during routine disruptions, while dedicated government networks and HF systems — including SHARES and FCC-authorized state disaster frequencies under Operation SECURE — ensure command, coordination, and situational awareness when cellular, fiber, internet, and even satellites fail. The most resilient communications plans recognize that failures are inevitable and deliberately integrate multiple tiers, with HF and auxiliary communications serving as the final, survivable layer that sustains operations when all other systems are unavailable.

Every major incident, disaster, or national security event ultimately tests one thing first: communications continuity. To address this, the U.S. government has developed a layered ecosystem of continuity programs, each designed to operate under increasingly degraded conditions.

These programs are not redundant — they are deliberately overlapping, forming a hierarchy that ranges from priority access on commercial networks to fully independent radio systems that function when all infrastructure is lost.

The Continuity Communications Ecosystem (Big Picture)

At the highest level, government continuity communications fall into four functional tiers:

Priority access on commercial infrastructure
Dedicated government-managed networks
Infrastructure-independent radio systems
Auxiliary and volunteer augmentation

Each tier is designed to take over as the layer above it degrades or fails.

Tier 1: Priority Access on Commercial Networks

“Use what already exists — but with priority.”

These programs assume commercial infrastructure is still partially functional but congested.

Core Programs

GETS (Government Emergency Telecommunications Service) – Priority landline calling
WPS (Wireless Priority Service) – Priority cellular access
FirstNet / Priority Cellular Services – Public safety LTE priority

Key Characteristics

Dependent on power, fiber, and cellular towers
Ideal for short-duration or localized incidents
Fastest to use, lowest training burden

Tier 2: Dedicated Government & Hardened Networks

“Purpose-built systems with stronger resilience.”

These systems are government-managed or heavily hardened against congestion and failure.

Core Programs

NAWAS (National Warning System) – Federal-to-state warning circuits
SMART Satellite Talkgroups – Nationwide satellite push-to-talk
FNARS / NECN – FEMA HF networks for continuity and coordination

Key Characteristics

More resilient than commercial systems
Some infrastructure dependency remains
Designed for command, coordination, and warning

Tier 3: Infrastructure-Independent HF Communications

“When networks go dark, HF still works.”

This tier forms the backbone of true communications continuity, capable of operating without internet, cellular, fiber, or satellites.

Core Programs

SHARES (Shared Resources HF Radio Program)
Administered by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, SHARES provides national-level HF interoperability across Federal, state, local, and critical-infrastructure partners.
Operation SECURE (47 CFR §90.264)
FCC-authorized state-level HF disaster frequencies, enabling states and eligible entities to operate HF systems under Federal Communications Commission rules.