Spectra Group provides communications solution for Original Mountain Marathon (OMM)

10th Oct 2009, 1:03PM

Spectra Group (UK) Ltd is providing a comprehensive range of event communications for the 2009 Original Mountain Marathon (OMM), one of the world’s most challenging mountain marathons. This event, which this year takes place on 24-25th October, is always held in wild remote areas of the UK where even mobile telecoms are either fragile or non-existent. The effect of a massive storm during the 2008 event resulted in news going around the world via Reuters and the Press Association, capturing headlines and kno

cking Barack Obama, Gordon Brown and the world recession off the headlines for at least 24 hours.

"In 2008, we experienced a complete communications blackout," said organiser Jen Longbottom. “We wanted to eliminate the reoccurrence of the problems we experienced last year and ensure a continued flow of accurate information to the world’s media. We are delighted with the amazing facilities and support from Spectra."

Spectra will be deploying SHADE, a self-contained, rapid deployment network infrastructure that will deliver a full suite of voice and data communications throughout the event. It will include the installation of portable satellite systems at three sites providing full telecoms capability using standard telephone handsets. SHADE also provides access to the internet using laptop PCs.

Founded in 1968, the OMM is the UK’s premier event of its kind and is designed to test the teamwork, self-reliance, endurance, outdoor and navigational skills of over 1500 teams from more than 15 countries around the world. The etho

s of the event is for the teams to be totally self-reliant throughout and carrying all clothing, equipment, tent, sleeping bag and food for 36 hours without any outside support, GPS or cell phone. There are seven different classes, the longest being the Elite, which comprises two consecutive marathon length days or thereabouts with up to 3000m of ascent.

Spectra will install SHADE in the event centre, overnight camp and finish point where it will provide organisers with resilient telephone, data and internet communications. In addition, three satellite phones will be provided for use by roaming safety patrols. Spectra will also

deploy a CCTV camera at the finish point which will enable live video to be streamed over the internet using satellite broadband for viewing on both the OMM and Spectra Group websites.

“SHADE will provide us with reliable and resilient communications. It will help us. In addition, the ability of the system to deliver live video streaming over satellite broadband connections will enable us to reach an even wider audience,” concluded Jen Longbottom.

SHADE uses satellite communications to link with SHADE Central, Spectra’s UK-based Network Operations Centre (NOC) where connectivity to the public telecommunications networks is provided. All communication links and support desk functions will be monitored around the clock.