Telent Enhances Coastguard’s Emergency Network with Major Full-Fiber Upgrade

Telent His Majesty's Coastguard

A new GBP 175 million communications network has been launched, linking 163 remote radio sites along 11,000 miles of the UK coastline. This upgrade will bolster His Majesty’s Coastguard’s emergency response capabilities and facilitate the thousands of distress calls initiated from UK waters.

Spanning from the Shetland Islands to the Isles of Scilly, the network is among the UK’s largest private broadband systems, with Telent providing 1,220 km of new infrastructure.

The initial installations of the new network, which integrates full-fiber and microwave technology, commenced in December 2020. Telent, awarded a ten-year contract with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) earlier that year, was tasked with designing, building, and operating the upgraded system for HM’s Coastguard. This initiative is a key element of the MCA’s Radio Network Infrastructure Replacement Programme (RNIR).

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“The reliable digital connection and the improved resilience provided by the new network will aid HM Coastguard’s life-saving search and rescue operations for years to come, with Telent on-hand to provide its critical expertise,” said Telent CEO, Jo Gretton. “Having first begun working together in 2010, maintaining radio equipment at the remote radio sites and delivering additional support services, Telent and MCA’s relationship has moved from strength to strength.”

Gretton noted that the new network establishes a strong foundation for the MCA’s future and upcoming technology services, which require the high performance of a full-fiber network.

Lee-on-the-Solent, Crystal Palace, Humber, Bridlington, and Brighton Marina were among the initial locations upgraded to the new search and rescue radio network. This network encompasses the entire UK coastline, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England.

HM Coastguard Assistant Chief Coastguard, Matthew Leat, highlighted that the national radio network is crucial for advancing their mission to prevent coastal and maritime fatalities. He emphasized that it significantly boosts their emergency response capabilities throughout the UK.

The new full-fiber connectivity is expected to bring several enhancements, including increased bandwidth, better security, and improved performance and reliability. With all 163 remote radio sites now linked, Telent is overseeing a fully managed service. This includes monitoring and managing the network’s overall performance, conducting maintenance, and implementing technical updates.

Read More: EE Connects 1600 Remote Communities Through UK Initiative

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