Communications

Ship Communications are technology advances that determine the maximum distance from a friendly base (colony or outpost) at which a ship or fleet of ships can be given new movement orders. This allows for redirecting fleets while they're in transit, to react or adapt to a changing situation or new information. Ship Communications advances apply immediately to all units. No redesign or rebuilding of ships is required.

This technology should not be confused with the range that fleets can travel away from a friendly base, which is determined by the type of FTL Drives available. It should also not be confused with Colony Scanner technology or ship scanning capabilities, both of which detect enemy ships.

Empires begin with basic ship communications which can only give orders to ships that are present at a friendly base. Research provides additional communication technologies through the Physics tree. The tech level and maximum communication range (in LY) are listed in the table below.