Telent Technology Services has agreed a partnership with SSE Enterprise Telecoms for the deployment of a new Ethernet network for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
It said the fibre based network will provide connections for 165 of the MCA’s remote radio sites around the UK coastline.
The agency announced its deal with Telent to build the network in August, saying it would replace the existing legacy infrastructure with a combination of fibre and microwave technology. Its radio sites carry communications via three network data centres between vessels at sea and 10 HM Coastguard operation centres.
It said that once this is deployed it would begin its digital transformation and deliver new services and communications capabilities.
The MCA’s most recent annual report says it responded to over 31,000 incidents and 999 calls in the previous year. The remote locations of many of its radio sites have created problems in ensuring the necessary 24/7 connectivity.