Information: Gabal

DATE Pacific > Gabal > Information: Gabal ←You are here

The Republic of Gabal is a small island within the South Pacific that is a liberal democracy and neutral to other regional countries, depending on the issue. Gabal understands the importance of the security guarantees in its relationship with the Republic of Torbia, but will readily accept money or capabilities from foreign influences. The government respects the freedom of media in telecommunications.

Satellite Telecommunications

Gabal does not own any satellites, but leases satellites for communications and entertainment from the Republic of Torbia.  It currently has a long-term lease on a Ka band High Throughput Satellite (HTS) through Kacific Broadband Satellites for internet services which will expire in ten years.  The population relies heavily on satellite for telecommunication services, such as television and internet to keep informed on local, regional and international issues.

Navigation

Gabal may commercially purchase or is gifted, in order to garner favors, global positioning receivers that support commercial needs. These are primarily used legally by the local fishing vessels and illegally by the smugglers that bring in goods to the country for the black market.

Public Communications Media

Gabal’s media community is small and media freedom is respected. The government does not engage in obvious censorship, but broadcasters, based on cultural traditions, do not wish to test the boundaries of permissible reporting. While telecommunications are satellite based, Gabal is planning for the installation of submarine fiber optic cable to improve internet connectivity.

Internet

The Republic of Gabal boasts that over 50% of its population can access the Internet. While the number is likely accurate, due to the coverage area issues the Internet is increasing as an additional communications media within the country, but television continues to be the primary means of entertainment. Gabal’s internet operates on a satellite backbone and is provided by a single company. The Internet Service Provider (ISP) is Cuuva.tv that operates under the auspices of the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Department of Gabal. The economic value of the Internet to Gabal’s population will increase as mobile phone data usage increases and more internet companies start to emerge on the island. Social media, generally free from government intrusion, is growing in popularity. Internet is available at no cost in the airport and certain government facilitates, such as the library and community center in populace centers.

Television

Gabal does not have any television stations and the population relies on satellite dishes to watch foreign television stations, primarily from the Republic of Torbia and the Federated States of Belesia. Television is the primary means of communication and entertainment in the country, even in the rural areas to get news updates from the government. As the tourism business increases and the popularity of the certain shows with the younger generation increase, the demand for a local television programming may lead to the development of a television company to exploit the new demand for services.

Radio

Gabal has one radio station run by the government.  The Media Department of the Government of the Republic of Gabal operates Radio Gabal, which includes relays of programming from international broadcasters.  The station broadcasts Gabal local programming twice a day, one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening to provide the latest news of the day.  In between the Gabal broadcasts, other programming is transmitted to the populace through the BBC World Service that operates in 29 different languages worldwide. In addition, Gabal could see more radio stations emerging due to the experience and knowledge of with more and more ex-pats moving to the island, increasing the capability to run and maintain them.

Print Media

Two newspapers operate in Gabal, one operated by the government and one privately owned. The newspapers represent a variety of political stances, international news and regional events. The government-operated newspaper is available only in hard copy, where the privately owned newspaper is available in hard and soft copies. In addition, international newspapers are available for tourist at the different resorts.

Telephone

One major telephone company comprises the Gabal telecommunications industry. The Republic of Gabal Telecommunications Corporation (GTC), a state-owned enterprise, provides fixed line telephone communications to subscribers on each island and mobile phone services. There are over 1000 main lines in use by tourist resorts and government agencies on Gabal. Mobile phone services are used by 19 percent of the local populace mainly for texting and emails. Radiotelephone communications exist between the islands and international services are provided via satellite.

Postal/Courier

Users find the Gabalian postal network available, reasonably priced, and generally reliable. The local populace is slowly moving away from sending letters with the younger generation relying on technology to maintain contact with friends and family. Gabal has a small branch office for UPS to enable tourist and local businesses to mail packages throughout the world.

Word of Mouth

Communication by word of mouth continues to be the primary means of passing information in outlying rural areas of Gabal. Gabal’s youth will typically communicate via mobile phone technology as opposed to the older generations of the populace, who prefer traditional face-to-face conversation. Communication is also enabled by limited VHF and UHF communications in the outlying areas for locals to spread news.

Information Control

While the government of Gabal does not directly control information flow, free speech includes everything except open discussion of government corruption. Gabalians are increasingly pushing back against this limited censorship. This is especially with the easier access to social media in attempts to avoid direct governmental interference with their freedom of speech.

INFOWAR

The Republic of Gabal does not attempt to coordinate any INFOWAR campaigns, but the government does attempt to cast the country in a positive light through media across different media domains both internally and externally to the country.

Electronic Warfare

Gabal does not have an electronic warfare (EW) capability.

Computer Attack

Gabal does not have a Computer Attack capability, but has been looking to expand into this area due to the threat from countries in the region. Additionally, Gabal is looking to increase their current computer defense capabilities to better identify and deter threats to their national security.

Information Attack

Gabal does not have an Information Attack capability.

Deception

Gabal’s military is so small it does not have the ability to conduct deception operations with its limited assets. The government media outlets could possibly be used to influence their audience, but there is no coordinated effort to do so at this time.

Physical Destruction

Gabal does not have a Physical Destruction capability.

Protection and Security Measures

Gabal currently has a small Protection and Security Measures (PSM) capability in place for its governmental electronic systems. Gabal is working with the Republic of Torbia and other countries to secure its government and economic electronic systems. Gabal is also training employees, military and government workers, on better practices to secure classified information within facilitates and across all media domains internally and externally.

Perception Management

Gabal perception management is mainly limited to attempting to craft a positive message about the government through its controlled media and relying on traditional cultural norms of not airing dirty laundry for public display. While nominally tied to the Republic of Torbia country, and the Federated States of Belesia, Gabal likes to appear neutral in order to attract tourists from all countries.

Intelligence

Gabal government maintains a very small military for defensive purposes and for ceremonial purposes. Gabal also relies on the national police force to handle domestic issues, internal security, and for reinforcement of the military in a national emergency.  Intelligence of any value comes from a very small police intelligence unit and that information is relayed to the military through a liaison officer. Any other intelligence support must come from another country’s military. There has been discussion to stand up a military intelligence unit, but limited funds continue to delay the actual activation of any such unit.

Human Intelligence

Gabal’s military has little human intelligence (HUMINT) capability and most HUMINT is limited to informants that tell the police about possible future smuggling operations. Gabal’s government offers a standing reward system for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the black market so individuals that are desperate for money sometimes become an informant. Often, these are individuals that are involved on the periphery of the smuggling operation turning in others for financial gain.

Open Source Intelligence

Gabal relies on open source intelligence (OSINT) as its primary means of strategic intelligence, but there is not enough military personnel to make it successful. Gabal’s OSINT likely focuses on the collection of information from their regional neighbors, especially as it pertains to their relationships with Gabal.

Signals Intelligence

Gabal possesses little signals intelligence (SIGINT) capability and consists little more than attempts to monitor the transmissions of smugglers in an attempt to intercept them in the midst of their operations. Any signals intelligence for the military units would need to come from the country that Gabal’s military was conducting operations with at the time.

Imagery Intelligence

Gabal possesses little imagery intelligence (IMINT) capability and mainly consists of aerial photography from helicopters involved in the anti-smuggling operations. During combat operations conducted with another country’s military, the other country would have to provide any imagery intelligence to Gabal. Gabal’s government is in discussion with other countries about purchasing additional Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in the near future for use in the anti-smuggling operations. The UAS could cover the large coastline of Gabal at a reduced cost and when unusual naval activity along the coast was detected, helicopters or speedboats could be sent to intercept the possible smugglers.  Other uses for the UAS could include to catch illegal fishing activities and for search-and-rescue missions.

Measurement and Signatures Intelligence

Gabal does not have a measurement and signatures intelligence (MASINT) capability and would need to rely on its military partner’s for any such information.

Summary

As the Republic of Gabal continues to improve its telecommunications infrastructure, the focus will remain on economic areas such as tourism and export. The expansion of internet and television will be the primary focus as the younger generation and tourist continue to access social media sites and the requirements for a faster more stable internet is key. The INFOWAR capabilities will also continue to improve as Gabal institutes its PSM improvements in the government and economic systems to secure itself against cyber-attacks from outside threats to the country’s infrastructure.