Free satellite comms for German troops
Airbus Defence and Space will provide free satellite communications and calls to German troops under a contract renewal with the German Ministry of Defence, the company announced on 18 January.
The company will start providing the services under the four-year contract from 1 July. The renewed contract will see the company provide free, unlimited voice calling and internet access to all troops during operations, exercises and trainings outside Germany, in order to allow troops to stay in contact with friends and family at home.
The new service also includes provision of media servers that gives the troops free access to digital newspapers, movies and the forces broadcast service. Previous services were based on a mixture of ministry-paid calls and services individually paid by the soldiers.
Evert Dudok, executive vice-president of communications, intelligence and security, Airbus Defence and Space, said: ‘German soldiers can surf the internet, chat or make skype (video) calls over Wi-Fi using their own devices. The service is available in accommodation areas and welfare areas, and in special locations, like internet cafés, which are also provided by Airbus Defence and Space.’
Airbus Defence and Space has provided welfare communications to the German forces since July 2011. A specific service for navy forces started in July 2015. The company provides mobile systems to get unlimited access to voice calling on the sea and internet access during harbour visits.
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