Fixed line connectivity has underpinned digital services across the defence estate for decades. While this approach has supported permanent sites, it no longer reflects how sites are used, developed and modernised today.

The UK’s recent Strategic Defence Review sets out a vision for the country to become a leading tech-enabled defence power by 2035. However, this ambition depends on secure, high-performance connectivity across a wide range of defence environments. Many of these environments sit beyond the reach of fixed infrastructure.

Many defence activities take place away from permanent sites, including pop-up events, temporary facilities and mobile venues. In these situations, reliable, rapid mobile connectivity can be deployed to support off-site activity, logistics and time-bound operations where fixed services are unavailable or impractical.

The limits of fixed line connectivity in defence environments

Traditional fixed line installations suit long-term, permanent environments and continue to play an important role across the defence estate. However, they are typically designed around stable locations and can involve longer lead times, civil works and associated permissions. In some situations, they also depend on local infrastructure that may not be available or economically appropriate to deliver the required connectivity across large defence bases.

Alongside permanent locations, the Armed Forces increasingly need to support activity away from established infrastructure. This includes temporary events, mobile facilities, short-term projects and time-bound requirements such as logistics activity, welfare facilities or contractor-led works. In these scenarios, flexible connectivity provides digital access where fixed services are not yet in place or are not proportionate to the duration of the requirement.

As a result, sites can be difficult to open, change or close at short notice. In temporary locations, a fixed line can take too long to install and may not be the most sensible choice if things are likely to move or change. For large, spread-out defence sites, this can hold up projects, slow access to digital tools and add extra work for estates and facilities teams.

How mobile coverage and digital strategy shape change

Investment in UK mobile networks continues to improve 4G and 5G coverage across the country. As a result, higher performance connectivity now reaches more locations and supports a wider range of defence environments.

Despite this progress, coverage is not uniform. Around 81 % of the UK landmass is currently served by 4G from all mobile operators. However, gaps remain in more remote areas.

The nature of cellular networks means there will always be places where signal strength and capacity vary, whether due to terrain, distance from infrastructure or the temporary nature of a site. In defence contexts, this can affect temporary facilities, logistics hubs, accommodation during exercise programmes, mobile venues and other off-infrastructure activity.

This underscores the value of connectivity solutions that combine multiple access technologies, including 4G, 5G and low-earth-orbit satellite, to build more resilient, adaptable and widely accessible networks that support defence activity in a range of environments rather than depending on a single network type.

Operational readiness needs flexible connectivity

Defence connectivity requirements evolve as operational priorities shift, sites are repurposed, and activity levels change. Connectivity must support temporary training environments, construction and refurbishment zones, remote locations and periods of increased demand for data, cloud access and collaboration.

In this setting, using only one type of connection raises risk. Defence teams need options that are secure, quick to set up, can grow as demand changes and adjust as needs shift, without disrupting day-to-day work.

How defence estate modernisation reshapes connectivity

Modern defence estates are increasingly digitally-enabled. Facilities management systems, IoT sensors, cloud-based tools and real-time collaboration are now commonplace. In many cases, organisations use these technologies beyond the reach of fixed networks.

When buildings are refurbished or newly constructed, sites need connectivity from day one, before permanent services are available. A flexible connectivity model supports digital services, platforms and devices, improving efficiency, productivity, and decision-making throughout the site’s lifecycle.

Non-fixed connectivity in defence networks

Combining 4G, 5G and low earth orbit satellite technologies makes non-fixed connectivity a reliable option for defence use cases. These technologies deploy quickly and operate independently of local fixed infrastructure. When organisations use a network-agnostic model, they gain reliable connectivity across challenging environments.

For defence sites, non-fixed connectivity supports the rapid deployment of remote locations and pop-up events. In addition, it adds resilience through alternative network paths and gives teams greater control over deployment timescales. Rather than replacing fixed lines, these services complement them and fill coverage gaps.

Hybrid networks are becoming the preferred approach

Hybrid connectivity models combine fixed and non-fixed services to deliver resilience, flexibility and continuity. Defence organisations use fixed lines where appropriate. Meanwhile, they add mobile and satellite connectivity for remote or temporary use cases.

As a result, teams maintain service continuity through failover and gain additional bandwidth when demand increases.

Wifinity rapid deployment for defence use cases

Wifinity delivers immediate connectivity for defence sites that require temporary services. APEX is a rugged, IP68-rated rapid site connectivity range designed for flexible self-installation, whether deployed indoors on a desk or mounted on an outdoor pole. Out-of-the-box and deployable within minutes, it scales from short-term tasks to multi-month operations.

APEX equips field teams with mobile, satellite or hybrid connectivity options, including dual SIM configurations, that are remotely monitored and managed to maintain uptime and operational flexibility in any environment. With core components, from radio to casing, built entirely in the EU, APEX provides a secure and sovereign solution free from high-risk supply chains.

A shift towards future-ready connectivity strategies

Modern defence environments need connectivity that can adapt to changing estates, technologies and strategic priorities.

Therefore, by combining fixed, mobile and satellite services, defence organisations support modern operations and estate transformation without legacy constraints. To find out more about APEX rapid site connectivity for defence environments, contact our defence team at defence@wifinity.co.uk or request the APEX rapid deployment brochure here.

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