NSSLGlobal secures FCDO Services deal for hybrid satellite network

NSSLGlobal has signed a major contract with FCDO Services to deliver critical communications services for UK diplomatic, consular and disaster response operations worldwide.

The agreement, awarded to NSSLGlobal, covers the supply of satellite hardware, airtime, training and round-the-clock support. A notable aspect of the contract is the integration of Eutelsat OneWeb's Low Earth Orbit (LEO) broadband services, which complement NSSLGlobal's existing satellite connectivity offerings. This hybrid approach is designed to support high-speed and low-latency connectivity for both fixed and deployed UK government teams internationally, including those in remote or high-risk locations where terrestrial communications are unreliable or unavailable.

Contract focus

NSSLGlobal's contract with FCDO Services aims to provide enhanced communication resilience for UK embassies, ministries, government infrastructure, and personnel deployed worldwide. The contract builds on a longstanding relationship between the two organisations. It seeks to ensure a robust communications network in support of the UK's diplomatic, consular, development, and disaster response needs.

The inclusion of OneWeb's LEO broadband represents a significant step in upgrading communications capabilities. The LEO network is designed to enhance throughput and minimise latency, offering speeds of up to 200 Mbps and rapid deployment capabilities. This is expected to facilitate secure and resilient communication, particularly in emergencies or when traditional infrastructure is compromised.

Company and partner commentary

Mike Astell, CEO, FCDO Services, said: "This agreement demonstrates a trusted partnership with NSSLGlobal and an extension of our services to UK and foreign governments and international organisations with close ties to the UK. Combined with the assurance that the OneWeb LEO network will provide, we are confident that this relationship is giving our teams on the ground the critical support and reassurance they need to stay connected, even in the most challenging environments and during times of crisis."

Cyril Dujardin, President of the Connectivity Business Unit at Eutelsat Group, commented: "In partnership with NSSLGlobal, we are proud to support the UK government and its global missions by delivering secure, resilient connectivity worldwide, even in the most remote or challenging environments. This agreement highlights the critical role LEO services play in enhancing operational effectiveness and enabling secure, low-latency communications for government operations."

Sally-anne Ray, Group CEO of NSSLGlobal, said: "As a UK business, NSSLGlobal is proud to use our expertise to provide the critical communications that keep the UK's global network of embassies and diplomatic staff connected, often in adverse environments. It is critical that they have robust and reliable communications at all times, and that the UK can respond to crisis and humanitarian situations where terrestrial communications infrastructure is often damaged or overloaded."

"The OneWeb LEO technology is another powerful addition into our wide solutions portfolio, offering our customers even more choice and additional resilience. We have a strong reputation for crisis communications provision especially across European government, non-governmental agencies and civil organisations."

Scope of the contract

Under the new agreement, NSSLGlobal will supply both the hardware and secure connectivity required to maintain voice and data links for the UK's diplomatic network. In addition to hardware provision, training will be delivered to ensure users are equipped to manage communication solutions in the field. Ongoing 24/7 technical support is also included, ensuring service continuity for deployed and remote teams.

The contract supports multi-band and multi-constellation requirements for the government, allowing for tailored solutions adapted to specific missions and environments. The adoption of a hybrid geo-LEO approach aims to enhance connectivity further and provide additional failover options in the event of network disruptions or physical damage to the infrastructure.

Applications and resilience

The communications solution covered by this agreement aims to address both everyday diplomatic requirements and emergency scenarios, such as disaster response operations, where communications infrastructure may be compromised or overloaded. Hybrid satellite connectivity is particularly important for UK diplomatic staff and field teams operating in regions with limited or unreliable terrestrial communication options.

By incorporating the OneWeb LEO network's capabilities, the UK government aims to provide teams with consistently high-speed and reliable connectivity, as well as enhanced security for sensitive communications. The solution enables rapid network setup in areas affected by crises or in remote field deployments, enhancing the UK's ability to respond to international events and emergencies.