The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) that runs the facility has for a decade been fitting it with state-of-the-art digital electronics, a new central computer, and high-speed transmission lines to carry the data that the 25m, 200-tonne dishes gather.

BBC: Very Large Array telescope in public call for new name

That will be especially useful over the next few years, with the arrival of third-generation mobile networks able to carry large amounts of data and provide high-speed Internet access.

ECONOMIST: Telecommunications