An obscure, 32-year-old federal agency has reportedly evolved into an organization charged with restoring or shutting down U.S. cellular networks during high-profile events and national emergencies.
The National Coordinating Center was created in 1984 to organize national security communications in the wake of the breakup of the AT&T monopoly. But it has become a part of the Homeland Security Department residing inside the Ballston, Va. site of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center. The group reportedly helped re-establish cellular communication networks following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. And it reportedly has the authority to terminate private network connections in specific regions including an entire metropolitan area. Article