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.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![British Army’s ISR commander warns of new challenges facing defence forces]()
British Army’s ISR commander warns of new challenges facing defence forces
The race between using ISR and resisting the use of it by enemies has accelerated, leading to new methods and systems being required, according to the British Army’s lead on its ISR efforts.
-
![Push for greater use of open source data, says senior British officer]()
Push for greater use of open source data, says senior British officer
The huge amount of open source data available may not carry the weight of secret sources but it does carry substantial value, according to speakers at Defence IQ C4ISR Global conference in London.
-
![Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract]()
Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract
The deal with Jacobs will run until November 2027 and will see the company deliver a range of digital and IT specialist professional services to Defence Digital.
-
![Orbit upgrades two multi-purpose terminals and carries out land testing]()
Orbit upgrades two multi-purpose terminals and carries out land testing
The communications company has upgraded two of its Beyond Line-of-Sight Multi-Purpose Terminals (MBTs) by introducing advancements in satellite communication technology and AI-driven maintenance capabilities.
-
![Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg]()
Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg
Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced that its subsidiary Kongsberg NanoAvionics will produce three satellites and launch them in 2025.
