Abstract: An emergency satellite communications system that provides remote sites with assured access. The network is provisioned, configured, and managed such that the remote units are always online, but not used to an extent that would prevent remote units from communicating via the network upon demand. The network may include geographic hub diversity to protect against hub failure. Proactive monitoring of the components comprising the network is used to mitigate or prevent network congestion, such as by load balancing. An overflow link may be provided, allowing for remote sites to be assigned from a first link to the overflow link to mitigate or prevent congestion on the first link, and/or allow for additional bandwidth to be allocated to one or more remote sites that remain on the first link. A satellite communication network may comprise a satellite and a network management system operative in controlling and managing a plurality of first and second terminals.