Secure, reliable connectivity remains crucial for Santa Tracker program
With only a few short weeks until Christmas, there is one person who is top of mind to many: Santa Claus! This is especially true for Cradlepoint, as this year our solution is being used by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to track Santa’s important digital Christmas journey for the 14th year.
Given the extreme security of NORAD, the Santa Tracker program required its own isolated network and internet connection. Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Service and cellular routers provide an ultra-fast, secure, and reliable internet connection that allow volunteers to field calls and inquiries as well as provide real-time updates regarding Santa’s whereabouts as he criss-crosses the globe on Christmas Eve.
History of NORAD’s Santa Tracking Mission
This year marks the 65th anniversary of NORAD’s work to track Santa’s merry journey, which began when a newspaper advertisement encouraging children to call Santa accidentally misprinted the phone number. Instead of connecting with Santa, a child instead called the crew commander on duty, U.S. Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, the predecessor to NORAD. Col. Shoup, realizing that a concerned child was on the other line, put the child at ease that he was in fact Santa. Since then, a duty officer and, now, many volunteers, have continued this holiday tradition and updated millions of children about Santa and where he is on his journey.
Helping Spread Joy Across the Distances
The holiday season is an important time for families and children around the world, and this rings true especially this year. We’re proud that Santa is safely traveling, despite the pandemic, and our solution is ensuring that excited children can get the real-time updates on Santa’s flight they are eager for on Christmas Eve, no matter how or where volunteers may be working.
And, when NORAD is ready, we are ready to help bring Santa into the 5G-era.
The entire Cradlepoint family wishes our customers and partners a happy and healthy holiday season! To learn more about Santa’s Christmas flight and track him in real time on Christmas Eve, please visit www.noradsanta.org or call 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723).
