The US Army has awarded a contract to Mantech to provide expeditionary cellular communications services (ECCS) in Afghanistan.

Under the $68m contract, ManTech will design, build and maintain an integrated communications system to provide continuous cell phone coverage for operational forces in Afghanistan.

ManTech president and chief operating officer Louis M. Addeo said the company would support military operations with integrated infrastructure for cell phone, satellite and internet services.

The service will also include permanent and mobile cell towers located on forward-operating bases.

“Uninterrupted communications are critical to our forces in remote regions,” he said.