NPO contingency Telephony Equipment

HMRC needs to procure a proportionate resilient communications solution comprising:

-65 Satellite Phone Handsets (Iridium 9575 model).

-All to have functionality for both PTT and telephony, but initial set up is 20 on PTT and remaining 45 on telephony with a cumulative call allowance package covering all handsets. -20 Power Banks for the handsets [for those handsets with both telephony and PTT capability

-Accompanying subscription plans for the handsets

-Supporting Antenna infrastructure

The proposed investment is to purchase equipment referenced above, with potential additional spend on satellite antenna and docking station for nominated locations, which allows internal use (satellite phones need line of sight to a satellite without an antenna installation so can only be used outside). The portable power stations will provide resilience for charging multiple devices to cover the expected duration of an NPO.

In the event of a national power outage, HMRC would need to implement an emergency response plan to safely and securely close all offices and shut down infrastructure such as data centres without any loss of data. Resilient communications devices are needed in order to ensure there is effective command, control and communication and to ensure our duty of care responsibilities as an employer have been enacted. Satellite phones would allow communication between the centre (the DOC) and each regional centre to confirm lockdown and any prevailing issues. It would also allow communication between senior leaders and those involved directly in the emergency response, including communicating with the centralised COBR Unit led Power Failure Response Centre