The Border Force has signed a three-year, £3.1 million contract with Capita for 4G mobile and satellite data communications.
It will enable the agency’s seagoing vessels to connect to the systems of parent department the Home Office while at sea.
Capita said it that using a combination of global satellite and 4G roaming it will provide 100% coverage across UK and European waters over a secure and resilient network.
The service has been designed for the Border Force’s five cutters and includes remote system and engine diagnostics, vessel tracking and live video streaming. It is also scalable to support future requirements.
Mark Cook, executive officer of Capita’s Technology Solutions division, said: “This contract showcases our ability to build and deliver complex, bespoke and innovative solutions to our clients. It also demonstrates the strength of technology partnerships we have across all types of communications including mobile and satellite.”
The Border Force’s seagoing capability has been beefed up over the past 18 months in response to concerns over illegal migrant crossings of the English Channel. In late 2018 Sajid Javid, then the home secretary, redeployed two of its cutters back to the waters.
Image by Keith Dixon, public domain
