Information Technology (IT) users located in remote areas, or shipboard users, have need for two-way access to private or public switched telecommunications networks and services. The overall objective of the project, which will last three years, will therefore be to develop and demonstrate a working prototype system, making use of existing maritime coast station, terrestrial radio facilities, to enable remote users to automatically access subscribers to the public switched networks and vice versa. In the present project, this is limited to HF, MF and VHF radio links (such as those used by the Maritime Mobile Service) and facsimile and PC to PC data services.

Peer Reviewed