Telecommunications

In Antarctica adequate communications can be a matter of life and death. Communication systems are therefore a key part of any research station. All stations (and ships) have permanent satellite links to the outside world providing broadband internet and a sophisticated telephone network.

Communications room at Halley
Communications room at Halley Research Station

Radios and portable satellite phones provide communication with field parties, ships and aircraft. Within the stations themselves, there are telephones and walkie-talkie systems.

However, all these systems can be disrupted by the weather or atmospheric phenomena.