Case study 7 April 2020

COVID-19: Keeping the country connected

From increased homeworking to family group video calls, to virtual parties and online fitness instruction, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we meet and communicate. At this unprecedented time, in many ways, maintaining the country’s data networks has never been more important.

Across the UK, over 80 Mitie engineers are helping to maintain the UK’s communication infrastructure, including over 700 Radio Mast sites, Data Centres, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units, Battery and DC systems, Generator facilities and High Voltage Transformers.

By undertaking this essential maintenance, Mitie engineers are ensuring home broadband, mobile voice & data and business data networks remain available. As the country responds to COVID-19 pandemic, these critical communication networks are helping to:

  • Support the Emergency Services:
    Across the UK, our Mitie engineers are looking after the communication networks that carry Emergency Services communications.
  • Combat loneliness and social isolation:
    As COVID-19 spreads across the UK, it is harder for people to maintain their social connections. For many people, particularly the elderly, there will be a difficult, but necessary period of social isolation. For them, previously simple social activities, like popping to the shop, going for a walk or sharing a pot of tea with friends, are now not possible.

    With people utilising platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Nextdoor to mobilise support for those affected, the country’s communication network is playing a central role in enabling communities to support the most vulnerable members of society.
  • Educate our children and entertain the nation:
    With almost every child in the country now off school, parents are turning to online education resources, including virtual tutoring, to home school their children. In addition, Social Distancing has driven a massive proliferation of family video conferencing, online quizzing, virtual fitness instruction and other forms of online entertainment. Without home broadband and mobile data, none of this would be possible.
  • Support business:
    Keeping data connections available is essential for maintaining business. Without them, countless critical online business systems, including payment and payroll, would not be operational. In addition, record numbers of people are working from home, often making several video/data conference calls a day.

An unprecedented challenge

This new and changing demand is putting increased, and sustained, pressure on the country’s communication infrastructure – our Mitie engineers are helping the UK telecoms industry meet this unprecedented challenge.

_

_

Get in touch

If you would like more information about Mitie’s Critical Infrastructure Services, please contact us using this form – a member of the Mitie team will contact you as soon as possible.

Critical Infrastructure: Keeping the UK running

See Resource Archive