Fibre technology that will give HM Coastguard even more options for hi-tech lifesaving search and rescue telecommunications came into effect in December.
Lee-on-the-Solent became one of the first of 165 HM Coastguard radio sites to switch to a state-of-the-art search and rescue radio network.
The new network uses fibre technology and will allow HM Coastguard to continue to receive distress calls from all maritime users and seafarers and co-ordinate rescue operations.
Lee-on-the-Solent will be closely followed by radio sites in Crystal Palace, Humber Bridlington and Brighton Marina before all 165 sites are switched to the new network over the next two years.
The Maritime Coastguard Agency is investing over £175 million in upgrading the Coastguard’s national radio network, as the legacy copper-based network becomes increasingly outdated.
The replacement technology will bring improvements across the radio network such as increased security and bandwidth. This will allow the Coastguard to invest in advanced search and rescue technology that requires a digital connection and high bandwidth, to enhance life-saving operations, where every second is essential.
Damien Oliver, Commercial and Programmes Director for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: “This new national radio network will be central in preventing the loss of life on the coast and at sea. The entire network, spanning 165 radio sties around 11,000 mile of UK coastline, will be switched on over the next two years, maintaining Coastguards’ ability to receive and act upon distress alerts from shipping and talk to HM Coastguard’s helicopters and planes.
“After one of our busiest summers on record, it is evident now more than ever, that we provide a state-of-the-art radio network system that will allow our Coastguards to continue saving lives and provide reassurance that we are here to respond to any emergency, along the coast or at sea.”
The new network is being built and maintained by Telent Technology Services Ltd.
Peter Moir, Managing Director of Network Services at Telent, said: “As a provider of critical digital infrastructure services, we are proud to have been selected by the MCA to provide the new full fibre network to HM Coastguard’s remote radio sites. Today is an important milestone and we will continue to work collaboratively with HM Coastguard to deliver the new network to support their lifesaving work.”
The new fibre-based hybrid network will also make sure HM Coastguard can continue to:
- Communicate with ships, smaller craft, and other leisure users in UK waters to advise on navigation hazards or receive distress alerts.
- Track shipping and other craft through automatic identification systems.
- Communicate and co-ordinate search and rescue assets including HM Coastguard Rescue Teams, Lifeboats, HM Coastguard Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and an emergency tug which all save lives and protect the marine environment.
- Launch and direct the hundreds of charitably funded lifeboats that save lives.
Questions and Answers
Q. Why is the Government spending money on a new network?
A. The new network will provide HM Coastguard with a resilient fibre-based hybrid network, that will provide increased reliability, bandwidth and security essential for emergency response. This also coincides with an announcement from BT that it is withdrawing the legacy X21 Kilostream network from the market as it is outdated and no longer fit for purpose.
Q. Why is it costing so much to replace?
A. It is estimated that the new network will cost around £175 million. The network covers the whole of the UK and the benefit of replacing it goes wider than that of the HM Coastguard. The new network will also be utilised by other Government departments and other UK network service providers to improve technology services to members of the public in remote towns and villages.
Q. How long before the new network is outdated and needs replacing again?
A. The current HM Coastguard network has been in service for 40 years, we expect the new hybrid network to have a similar life expectancy. However, should technology advance quicker than expected this is likely to be around 25 years.
Q. What will the next contract look like?
Once the new network infrastructure has been completed and the current support contract term comes to an end we envisage only tendering for future service and support contracts reutilising the hybrid infrastructure.
Q. How long will it take to replace the network
A. It is envisaged that the new network will take around three years to replace.
Q. What happens if the new network is not completed– will lives be lost?
A. Should issues be encountered; an interim broadband based connection will be implemented. This will enable the HM Coastguard emergency network to remain operationally live whilst the X21 Kilostream network is turned off and the permanent connection completed. The cost of this option is included in the programme.
Q. Why wasn’t it replaced before now? Have lives been put at risk?
A. As HM Coastguard historically only used the network for radio service transmissions and communications, the network requirement was fundamentally low bandwidth, which is why it has lasted so long. As HM Coastguard operational services have evolved, we now require a network that can deliver enhanced capabilities. As BT are going to withdraw the current network the only viable option is to replace it with a new fibre-based hybrid network which gives the option of high bandwidth.
Service availability has been maintained at mandatory levels for the entire life span of the X21 Kilostream network. This will be achieved and improved by the new network.
Q. How old is the legacy network? Was the old network not reliable and therefore lives lost?
A. The current network is in the region of 40 years old, X21 Kilostream was installed in the 1970s and 80s. The network has always been 100 per cent reliable however due to its age and the advancements in more modern technology – replacement parts are no longer available and are having to be sourced at an increased cost.
Q. Can the MCA deliver this programme on time and on budget?
A. A dedicated experienced team are in place to deliver the programme and they are subject to scrutiny by an Executive Board and various Government bodies outside the MCA, allowing no room for error or delay.
Q. Will the new network be replacing Coastguards?
A. The programme is delivering a replacement communications infrastructure and no changes to operational resources, or our emergency service delivery will be made.
Q. Are you confident that the new network will meet the requirements of HM Coastguard?
A. Following a rigorous and competitive tendering process Telent were awarded the contract to design, implement and support the new fibre-based hybrid network. Telent are already a trusted incumbent supplier and specialise in the effective operation of critical national infrastructure and are at the heart of many of the UK’s and Ireland’s best-known brands. They already operate within various industry sectors including Rail, Traffic, Public Safety, Defence, Service Providers, Enterprise and Public Sector. The MCA are therefore more than confident that the new network will meet the exceptionally high standards of the MCA’s requirements.
Q. Has or will the Covid 19 pandemic impact programme delivery?
A. Fortunately Covid 19 has not impacted the programme so far and it is anticipated that this will continue to be the case. The majority of operational staff at Telent are classed as key workers as they specialise in the implementation and support of critical national infrastructure services. Also, if there are any delays, interim connections can be implemented until the permanent connection is completed. This will ensure that all HM Coastguard operational services can always be maintained.
Q. Will this programme interrupt HM Coastguard emergency services communications during changeover?
A. Both networks will be run in parallel and transition to the new network will be carried out on a site-by-site basis, radio circuit by radio circuit, in a controlled environment. As all HM Coastguard radio sites have a minimum of two radio circuits, only one will be transitioned at a time, so there will be no impact to live operational services.