Future ATC
I must admit that my 9 June response was made up, about two thirds complete fabrication: however on the Area side there is some truth in the reference to speechless datalink, and it worked quite well a couple of years ago when we tested it under realistic traffic level simulation. If any of the NATS bods are from Bournemouth I'm sure you'll be briefed. As you know the Brits invent wonderful stuff and then give the whole lot away. You may have come across things like the jet engine, and of course that gem went East as well as West!