Tristan's tribute as 2024 Remembrance begins in Westminster
Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy
It was an honour to represent Tristan da Cunha as the official 2024 period of Remembrance began at Westminster - eighty years on from the campaigns that turned the tide of the Second World War.
I planted a wooden cross in the Garden of Remembrance inaugurated by Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle on the 28th October 2024.
Views of Chris before, during and after planting the Remembrance cross for Tristan da Cunha | |
Tristan's cross and handsome enscribed plaque: From across the ocean - We will remember them |
The service, in the grounds of the Palace of Westminster, also saw crosses planted on behalf of UK constituencies, Commonwealth countries, and other UK islands.
It was a time to reflect on the sacrifice of military personnel, and on the contribution made by Tristanians to the running of a crucial radio listening post on their island during the 1939-45 conflict.
Tristan will lay a wreath next year at London’s cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday: 2024 brings the turn of St Helena to undertake this duty on behalf of the wider Territory.
Charting the future of South Atlantic navigation |
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Visit to Taunton Hydrological Office uncovers 19th century chart of Tristan. 26-Oct-2024 |
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Tristan web-access Starlink update
Starlight Update from Simon Butters
The new high speed internet service has been well received by the islanders and will make a real difference to education, the hospital, government departments and everyday life.
A highlight was being stopped in the street a few days ago by a somewhat emotional islander, who had been able to see her friends for the first time in years live on a video call.
Some additional information on Starlink:
What actual broadband speeds have been achieved?
The incoming internet link from the Starlink system achieves a bandwidth of up to 300Mbps, this can fluctuate depending on the network use at any given time. Initial testing has resulted in speeds up to 290Mbps.
Where exactly is the kit situated?
The Starlink system is situated on the roof of the IT Container (Communications HQ which was commissioned in May 2022) located next to the Administration building.
How robust is the kit given Tristan’s storm force winds?
The operational rating is 80 kph+ (50 mph+) with the survivable rating being much much higher. Over the past two weeks we have experienced some strong winds and the antenna has held up well. We also have the option of easily removing the antenna temporarily if a serious storm is forecast.
Is the regular phone service impacted?
The Starlink system is in addition to the existing VSAT service that provides 10Mbps via a geostationary satellite, all voice traffic still flows via this route as it did previously. We now have for the very first-time full resilience for telephony and internet services.
The only unexpected result of Starlink is that it takes the most efficient path for connectivity, for us that means our uplink is via Berlin. German spoken adverts are however a small price to pay for high-speed internet in the middle of the South Atlantic!
Simon has agreed to write a full article on Starlink and Tristan's communications for the next Tristan da Cunha Newsletter in February 2025.
Administrator Philip Kendall announced via X on 16th September 2024:
Starlink has arrived on Tristan and it's a real game changer! The world's most remote inhabited island now has internet speeds 30x faster than ever before! Thanks to everyone at @SpaceX and @FCDOGovUK for making this happen.
Report from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy
Tristan da Cunha's new high-speed internet link faced an early test on 18th September 2024, when Chief Islander James Glass joined a high-level meeting of elected leaders from across the UK Overseas Territories - and it passed with flying colours.
The Starlink satellite service enabled James to connect via video call with leaders spread across the South Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific and beyond. They met to agree priorities for the forthcoming Joint Ministerial Council, planned for November in London.
James raised key issues he aims to see included on the JMC agenda, including infrastructure, connectivity and healthcare.
Background to Starlink
The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, commonly referred to as SpaceX, is an American spacecraft manufacturer, launch service provider and satellite communications company headquartered at the SpaceX Starbase in Texas. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs by designing for reusability and ultimately developing a sustainable colony on Mars. The company currently produces and operates the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets along with the Dragon spacecraft.
The company offers internet service via its Starlink subsidiary, which became the first and largest-ever satellite constellation in January 2020 and, as of April 2024, comprised more than 6,000 small satellites in orbit.
Starlink's satellites use a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, video calls and more.
The new high-speed broadband internet will be a boon to Tristan da Cunha's ability to communicate with the outside world. It would give the island easy communication with the rest of the world and open the door to telecommuting jobs which are currently impossible. This also will allow for telemedicine, remote education, and a host of other things that all of us take for granted.
High-speed broadband internet signals are transmitted between satellites orbiting the Earth and small dish antennas installed at users' locations. Current satellite internet offers potential download speeds of up to 150 Mbps.
Satellite internet can provide connectivity to remote and rural areas where traditional terrestrial networks are unavailable or impractical, such as Tristan da Cunha. Geostationary (GEO) satellites are positioned about 22,300 miles above the equator and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations such as Starlink use thousands of satellites in lower orbits to reduce signal delays.
Tristan da Cunha Government Records |
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This page provides downloads of Island Council minutes, public notices, budgets, and other official documents. 22-Aug-2024 |
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MFV Lance's June 2024 passage to Tristan |
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Administrator Philip Kendall's report and photos 4-Jul-2024 |
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South Atlantic islands unite for maritime best-practice |
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Chief Islander prominent at Red Ensign event in Jersey 22-Jun-2024 |
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- Young Ocean Champions in the UK (10-Jun-2024) >>
- Inaugural UK Overseas Territories Day (6-Jun-2024) >>
- The Administrator in London (28-May-2024) >>
- Celebration of the link between Tristan and Camogli (26-May-2024) >>
- Parliamentary Debate highlights Tristan's Marine Protection Zone (29-Apr-2024) >>
- Administrator's visit to St Helena and Ascension Island (11-Apr-2024) >>
- Michael Bertram sworn in as Acting Administator (4-Apr-2024) >>
- Administrator's March visit to Gough Island (27-Mar-2024) >>
- Tristan's vast 'Blue Belt' celebrated at London events (2-Mar-2024) >>
- Expressions of interest invited to fish Tristan's lobster quota (28-Feb-2024) >>
- Administrator and Chief Islander visit Nightingale Island (15-Feb-2024) >>