VT Communications (VTC), part of leading defence and support services business VT Group plc, has been awarded a £4million contract by the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) to upgrade and enhance 14 Differential Global Positioning Service (DGPS) reference stations in the UK and Ireland. The DGPS system operated by GLAs delivers correction messages to maritime users, providing dramatically improved accuracy and integrity of navigation around the UK coast.

The upgrade of DGPS stations includes adding capability to use Modernised GPS signals and the additional functionality required for tracking the future Galileo and GLONASS signals without further complex upgrade. The upgrade program will also ensure that the GLA service is compliant with the latest International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Resolutions and recommendations from the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). VTC will also provide ongoing support of DGPS for a further 10 years.

The award of this prestigious contract builds on VTC's expertise in the field of electronic navigation and its relationship with the GLAs, where it is delivering a state-of-the-art eLoran navigation service from its radio communications facility in Cumbria, UK as part of a 15 year contract signed in 2007. The eLoran service complements Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS, allowing users to retain the benefits of electronic positioning, navigation and timing when satellite signals are disrupted. VTC is announcing this contract award at the start of the International Loran Association (ILA) conference at Church House in London (28-30 October 2008). The conference examines technology, infrastructure and applications across the navigational spectrum.

Jeremy de Halpert, Executive Chairman of Trinity House, on behalf of the GLAs congratulated VT on this award: "VT Communications submitted the tender that most closely matched all the requirements for the supply, installation and commissioning of a robust DGPS service we seek to provide for all mariners navigating the UK and Irish coastlines. It is a tribute to the company's expertise and its understanding of the unusual environment the GLAs operate in that they have been awarded this contract within 18 months of successfully bidding for the eLoran contract. We look forward to continuing a good working relationship with VTC."

Commenting on the award of the DGPS contract, VTC's Managing Director, Doug Umbers said: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with the GLAs to provide this critical service to the maritime community and ensure the infrastructure is in place to deliver compliant electronic navigation services in the future. The contract also enhances VTC's presence in the field of electronic navigation and builds on our experience of delivering services across the RF spectrum from VLF to SHF, where resilience and security is paramount."

NOTES TO EDITORS

About DGPS

The GLAs DGPS system uses a Reference Station (RS) to create real-time correction messages in RTCM-SC104 format which are then digitally modulated onto a radio beacon broadcasting these correction signals in the medium-wave frequency band (MF). Integrity Monitoring (IM) stations are used to monitor the performance of the RS and the two are usually co-located. Users in the maritime community equipped with the necessary beacon receiver can receive the transmitted DGPS corrections when in the coverage area of a station. With the system upgrade being delivered by VTC it will be ready to meet the future accuracy requirements as detailed in IMO A.915(22) where many accuracy needs are for a Horizontal Position Accuracy (HPA) of <10m over the DGPS current coverage area of 50 nautical miles, and in some cases as low as 1m or less HPA in port situations. It will continue to ensure the served community benefits from the improvements being made in the satellite navigation industry.

About eLoran

Enhanced Loran (eLoran) is an internationally standardised positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service for use by many modes of transport and in other applications. It is the latest in the long-standing and proven series of low-frequency, LOng-RAnge Navigation (LORAN) systems, one that takes full advantage of 21st century technology.

eLoran meets the accuracy, availability, integrity, and continuity performance requirements for aviation non-precision instrument approaches, maritime harbor entrance and approach manoeuvres, land-mobile vehicle navigation, and location-based services, and is a precise source of time and frequency for applications such as telecommunications.

eLoran is an independent, dissimilar, complement to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). It allows GNSS users to retain the safety, security, and economic benefits of GNSS, even when their satellite services are disrupted.

VT Communications Ltd

VT Communications, part of VT Group plc, is a leading specialist communications services company. It provides innovative technical solutions at the forefront of new technology across the RF spectrum, from VLF to SHF from 29 locations around the world. With a turnover of £100 million, VT Communications has over 800 employees based in both the UK and overseas. VT Communications is the valued and trusted supplier for the UK MOD, Government, NATO, national security agencies and a range of international broadcasters, including BBC World Service.

VT Communications offers extensive experience in the delivery of diverse projects and services to a range of military and commercial customers globally. Core capabilities include radio frequency infrastructure and point communications solutions, information communications technology (ICT), power generation and distribution, and specialist installation and vehicle/container engineering conversions. Security cleared staff undertake full design, build, installation and project and programme management, along with operation, maintenance and through-life support.

Key contract awards include design, build, operation, maintenance and support of the MOD's Royal Navy Submarine VLF Receive Signal Service; operation, maintenance and support of the MOD's tri-service Defence High Frequency Communications Service (DHFCS); delivery of a state-of-the-art enhanced LORAN radio navigation service across the UK and Ireland; and design, installation and operation of the Radio Time and Frequency Standard for the UK. VT Communications is also providing the ICT infrastructure for two major defence PFI's - the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft) as part of the AirTanker consortium and the Military Flying Training Service (MFTS).

The General Lighthouse Authorities

The General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the United Kingdom and Ireland are Trinity House, the Northern Lighthouse Board and the Commissioners of Irish Lights. Together, they have the statutory responsibility for the provision of marine aids to navigation (AtoNs) around the British Isles and Ireland. The GLAs are funded by "Light Dues" charged on various classes of shipping calling at ports in the UK and Ireland. The Secretary of State for Transport sets the level of light dues to be charged. The GLAs' joint mission is the delivery of a reliable, efficient and cost effective AtoN service for the benefit and safety of all mariners.

For further information about this press release, please contact:
Laura Luckett
Head of Marketing & Communications
VT Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7969 0000
Email: laura.luckett@vtplc.com
Web: www.vtplc.com/communications

Vikki Gilson
Communications Manager
General Lighthouse Authorities
Tel: +44 (0)20 7481 6960
Email: vikki.gilson@thls.org
Web: www.trinityhouse.co.uk