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Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Delivering a next-generation mission critical network, supporting HM Coastguard to protect lives at sea

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) work to prevent the loss of life on the coast and at sea.

Governed by the Department for Transport, MCA produce legislation and guidance on maritime matters, and provide certification to seafarers. As part of MCA, HM Coastguard provide the frontline emergency response including search and rescue services around the UK’s coast.

Decade-Long Partnership with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Telent’s relationship with the MCA extends back over 10 years through the provision of maintenance of radio equipment at HM Coastguard remote radio sites and the delivery of additional support services.

In July 2020, Telent secured a new ten-year contract with the MCA to design, build and operate an upgraded mission-critical communications network for HM Coastguard. The new network, which combines full-fibre and microwave technology, was set to replace the aging copper infrastructure. The upgrade to a fibre network enables the transmission of large amounts of data, including voice and video communications over long distances.

The MCA’s £175 million investment in the Radio Network Infrastructure Replacement Programme

To support His Majesty’s Coastguard to carry out its life-saving tasks effectively and provide the public with the reassurance that they can respond to any emergency, the MCA required a new national communication network to connect 163 remote radio sites spanning across 11,000 miles of UK coastline. The new network will replacing the existing legacy infrastructure with a combination of full-fibre and microwave technology. These radio sites carry communications between the national data centres, 10 HM Coastguard Operation Centres and the vessels at sea.

The project to design and build the new network is well underway and will be provided by Telent as a fully managed service to MCA. This will include monitoring and managing end-to-end performance, planning and carrying out maintenance activities and conducting technical changes and updates. The fibre-based network will enable MCA to undertake its own digital transformation, deliver new digital services and communication capabilities, and bring a new edge to the search and rescue work of HM Coastguard.

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“The national radio network is integral in supporting our mission of preventing the loss of life on the coast and at sea, enhancing our ability to respond to emergencies across the UK.”

- Matthew Leat, HM Coastguard Assistant Chief Coastguard

"At a time when getting outdoors is pivotal to people’s mental health and wellbeing, it is essential that we can provide reassurance that we are here to respond to any emergency they may find themselves in, and this new network will enhance our ability to do that"

- Damien Oliver, Commercial and Programmes Director for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency

End-to-End Managed Services for Reliable Connectivity

Following the 1,220km of new infrastructure being installed connecting all 163 remote radio sites, Telent is providing a fully managed service. As part of this, Telent is monitoring and managing the end-to-end performance, undertaking maintenance activities and implementing technical updates. 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.

Discover our ICT Managed Service

“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. The new network provides a firm foundation for the MCA’s potential future and new technology services and projects that only the high performance of a full-fibre network can support.”

- Jo Gretton, CEO at Telent

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