The CAV Galaxy : Communications

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Universal Intragalactic Communication Command

The UICC designs, builds, maintains, and operates the systems and equipment that make long-distance space communication possible. Although not chartered as a UCOR, the UICC is structured and operated like one and is generally granted the rights and privileges of one.
             The UICC actually has steered far clear of UCOR status, since acquiring it would require getting a charter from a specific government. This would then make the UICC beholden to that government, a condition which would make its services suspect by every other government or organization in the galaxy, devaluing the service tremendously in their eyes.

The very nature of the UICC's business-high-quality interplanetary communications-is sensitive, so security is a top priority. Each and every employee must undergo a thorough background check and bonding process. As such, the integrity of these men and women is usually above reproach. There are the occasional complaints, of course, but these are generally the exceptions that prove the rule.

Due to its vast area of coverage and comparatively low pricing, almost all sentient individuals and companies routinely use the UICC for daily operations. The only real exceptions are in highly sensitive matters in which trusting anyone else-even the UICC-would be foolish.

As with all utility companies, the UICC has received its share of derogatory terms from a small percentage of less-than-satisfied customers. "Unbelievably Incompetent Communication Comedians" and "the Nanny-Net" are two of the more lasting ones. Still, most users swear by the service for its price and reliability.

Additional Communication Nets

All major and most minor military organizations maintain their own independent communication systems. These advanced systems are heavily encrypted and all but impossible to break-although this doesn't stop enemies from trying. These communications webs are commonly referred to as "mil-nets", which is short for "military communications networks."

Most of the large UCOR's make use of the UICC for their less sensitive communications needs, but they maintain their own elaborate systems too. When it comes to fulfilling the core needs of a business, it seems unprofessional for something as large and powerful as a UCOR to rely entirely on an outside contractor for such a vital service. These parallel UCOR networks are commonly referred to as "U-nets."

There are some communications that are too valuable to be trusted to any automated network, no matter how secure it might seem. That's where interplanetary courier services come in. There are several private services around the galaxy, most of which serve one small portion of known space, but there are two such companies that cover the whole of the explored galaxy: Galactic Express (GalEx) and FTLS (Faster-Than-Light Service).

Courier services are not cheap. GalEx and FTLS make regular runs to most parts of the galaxy, and their rates are often among the best. The most secure services, however, offer individualized attention, sending one courier or a team to expressly oversee and handle each and every delivery. This is expensive in terms of hiring the couriers alone. Maintaining the private vessels on which they travel-and paying the jump station tolls along the way-can really add up.

Commerce  |   Mercenaries  |  Psyros
Galaxy Map  |  Technology of War
Communications  |  Jump Technology