Babcock awarded £400M contract to operate military satellites

Babcock and its partners have been awarded a £400 million contract to operate the Skynet military satellite communications system.

Skynet is the UK’s satellite system that enables communications to be sent from anywhere in the world back to the UK and its allies.

Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk KC said:

“Space is increasingly important for maintaining battlefield advantage.

The UK’s next-generation military satellite communications...

15 February 2023 | Legislation & Government

Russian hackers disrupt NATO comms used for earthquake relief

Russian hacking group Killnet has claimed responsibility for disrupting communications between NATO and other organisations providing earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria.

The devastating earthquake has claimed at least 28,000 lives and efforts continue to pull victims from the rubble. Countries and NGOs worldwide dispatched resources to provide humanitarian aid, including aircraft with transport and airlift capabilities.

Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) is a...

13 February 2023 | Networks

UK announces £50M satellite industry boost

The UK Space Agency has announced a £50 million fund to boost the satellite communications industry.

Funding from the initiative will be used for projects including satellite constellations, ground systems, and entirely new end-to-end systems.

Science Minister George Freeman said:

“Developing UK space capabilities and maximising commercial opportunities are key to the National Space Strategy, as part of our plans to become a leading power in space and build...

23 January 2023 | Broadband

Comms regulator unveils broadband maps for USA

A wide shot of The Statue Of Liberty.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates interstate and international communications through cable, radio, television, satellite and wire in the US, has unveiled the pre-production draft of its new broadband maps.

These maps provide the best picture available to date of where broadband is and is not available across the country, and the FCC believes the maps will only get better from here.

Broadband consumers are empowered like never before. Maps that...

22 November 2022 | Broadband

UKSA announces £15M satellite communications fund

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has unveiled a £15 million fund to support British firms revolutionising satellite communications.

Ideas that could be eligible for funding include satellite constellations, ground systems, or the provision of new services.

Science Minister Nusrat Ghani commented:

“I am proud to be representing the UK space sector as we discuss our ambitions ahead of the ESA Council of Ministers next month. There are a series of important...

17 October 2022 | Legislation & Government

Ericsson acquires cloud communications provider Vonage for $6.2B

Ericsson has entered an agreement to acquire cloud communications provider Vonage for $6.2 billion.

Ericsson intends to expand its wireless enterprise offerings globally and offer existing customers an increased share of a market that’s set to hit $700 billion by 2030. Ericsson’s acquisition of Vonage will help it achieve that goal.

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, says:

“The core of our strategy is to build leading mobile networks through...

22 November 2021 | Telecoms