Lee-on-the-Solent is one of the first coastguard sites switched to a brand-new £175 million search and rescue communications network.
The network connects 163 remote radio sites across 11,000 miles of UK coastline.
It ensures His Majesty's Coastguard can effectively respond to thousands of distress calls from the UK’s waters.
The network stretches from the Shetland Islands to the Isles of Scilly and is one of the UK's largest private broadband networks.
Technology partner Telent helped install 1,220km of new infrastructure.
The first installations of this new network, combining full-fibre and microwave technology, began in December 2020.
Telent secured a 10-year contract with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to design, build, and operate the upgraded network for HM Coastguard.
This was part of the MCA’s investment in the Radio Network Infrastructure Replacement Programme (RNIR).
Telent CEO Jo Gretton said: "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.
"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."
On top of Lee-on-the-Solent, Crystal Palace, Humber, Bridlington, and Brighton Marina are also among the first sites switched to the new network.
The remote radio sites cover the whole of the UK coastline, spanning Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England.
HM Coastguard assistant chief coastguard Matthew Leat said: "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."
Now that all 163 remote radio sites have been connected, Telent is providing a fully managed service.
This includes monitoring and managing the end-to-end performance, undertaking maintenance activities, and implementing technical updates.
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