As the UK’s leading Advanced Wireless Connectivity solutions provider, UK Connect is proud to announce its recent “Reseller Deal of the Year” award.

This recognition was received at the prestigious Comms National Enterprise Awards for its groundbreaking work on Operation Interflex supporting the Ministry of Defence. Providing Mission Critical Wireless Connectivity to thousands of Ukrainians and Partner Forces utilising Low Orbital Satellite (LeoSat) and 5G Fixed Wireless Access (5GFWA).

October 2023

‍

Transforming Connectivity in a critical operation  

Code-named Operation Interflex, this initiative represents the UK Armed Forces' extensive training scheme, preparing over 37,000 Ukrainian recruits to counter their Russian adversaries. The magnitude and urgency of this operation posed numerous challenges, primarily ensuring robust, scalable, and enterprise-level communications, even in the UK's most remote locations, with many of them often statically located in very rural areas.

Given the rapid deployment required - sometimes in under a week - and the absence of pre-existing communications infrastructure for such a critical operation, UK Strategic Command entrusted UK Connect. Well known by Defence for their proficiency in supplying high bandwidth, mission-critical communications, and having showcased similar expertise during the COVID pandemic, UK Connect promptly rose to the challenge.

‍

A swift and innovative response

In a concerted effort with UK Strategic Command, Landmarc, Defence Digital and The Defence Infrastructure Organisation, UK Connect swiftly implemented WAN, LAN and Security solutions. The advanced technological suite encompassed 5GFWA, Private Cellular, Leo Satellite, mmWave Telegraph and Wi-Fi.

Complicating matters was a global chipset shortage and pressure to deliver rapidly, taking an entire camp from zero connectivity to over a Gig with 100% site-wide Wi-Fi in under a week for more than 500 users, in some instances. As a result, the project required innovative strategies to deliver at pace and scale, such as chartering a flight to securely deliver hardware from the US, working closely with our partner Landmarc, and ensuring our vendors provided dedicated support teams.

Today, UK Connect remains pivotal in offering essential connectivity to Defence, facilitating access to mission-critical training applications and welfare services.