VT Communications
Encyclopedia
VT Communications was a part of VT Group
plc. VT Communications was essentially the company formed from the privatisation of the BBC World Service
transmitter sites. It was initially named Merlin Communications, then, after acquisition by VT, VT Merlin Communications. It provided transmission services to over 20 different customers from four main sites in the UK and many others in the rest of the world.
It was based at the Blue Fin Building on London's South Bank, which hosts the company's new broadcast Media Management Centre and where it now forms part of Babcock International Group
, after its acquisition on 8th July 2010.
, the UK's national time reference, was broadcast on 60 kHz from the MSF transmitter at Rugby radio station by BT Communications
under licence from the NPL
. When that contract expired, VT Communications won the new licence and, following successful testing in early 2007, took over broadcasting the signal from its new location at Anthorn radio station. The formal inauguration of the new facility was on 1 April 2007, when the signal from Rugby was permanently switched off, and the name of the service was changed to "The Time from NPL".
VT Group
VT Group plc was a British defence and services company, formerly known as Vosper Thornycroft. The Company had diversified from shipbuilding into various engineering and support services, becoming involved in many areas of provision through five main operating groups: VT Communications, VT...
plc. VT Communications was essentially the company formed from the privatisation of the BBC World Service
BBC World Service
The BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays...
transmitter sites. It was initially named Merlin Communications, then, after acquisition by VT, VT Merlin Communications. It provided transmission services to over 20 different customers from four main sites in the UK and many others in the rest of the world.
It was based at the Blue Fin Building on London's South Bank, which hosts the company's new broadcast Media Management Centre and where it now forms part of Babcock International Group
Babcock International Group
Babcock International Group plc is a British-based support services company specialising in managing complex assets and infrastructure in safety-critical and mission-critical environments. Although the company has civil contracts, its main business is with public bodies, particularly the UK...
, after its acquisition on 8th July 2010.
National Physical Laboratory time signal
From 1950, the National Physical Laboratory time signalNational Physical Laboratory time signal
The Time from NPL is a radio signal broadcast from the Anthorn radio station near Anthorn, Cumbria which serves as the United Kingdom's national time reference. The time signal is derived from three atomic clocks installed at the transmitter site, and is based on time standards maintained by the...
, the UK's national time reference, was broadcast on 60 kHz from the MSF transmitter at Rugby radio station by BT Communications
BT Group
BT Group plc is a global telecommunications services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is one of the largest telecommunications services companies in the world and has operations in more than 170 countries. Through its BT Global Services division it is a major supplier of...
under licence from the NPL
National Physical Laboratory, UK
The National Physical Laboratory is the national measurement standards laboratory for the United Kingdom, based at Bushy Park in Teddington, London, England. It is the largest applied physics organisation in the UK.-Description:...
. When that contract expired, VT Communications won the new licence and, following successful testing in early 2007, took over broadcasting the signal from its new location at Anthorn radio station. The formal inauguration of the new facility was on 1 April 2007, when the signal from Rugby was permanently switched off, and the name of the service was changed to "The Time from NPL".
Main transmission sites in the UK
- WooffertonWoofferton transmitting stationThe Woofferton transmitting station is a shortwave broadcasting site at Woofferton, south of Ludlow, Shropshire, England.The station was originally built by the BBC during World War II to house additional shortwave broadcasting transmitters...
- RampishamRampishamRampisham is a village in west Dorset, England, situated in a steep valley ten miles north west of Dorchester. The village has a population of 102...
- Skelton
- Orfordness
- Anthorn