Industry's role in the implementation of an Integrated Ocean Observing System

The paper describes a novel concept of implementing and funding an Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Rather than fund research institutions to design and build discrete observatories, only later to be integrated into a national network, instead what is proposed is to competitively award bandwidth to those researchers requiring data from offshore observatories. The network itself would be designed, installed, maintained and operated by industry. Initial development costs will be offset both by utilizing existing commercial networks and also by leveraging some other (funded) pending and emergent government initiatives that present opportunities for synergy. Discussed are opportunities to enhance Homeland Security and the USCG National Distress and Response System. Result: realization of an IOOS in a reduced schedule and at a substantial cost savings. Examples of two existing commercial networks are provided.