BT secures Northern Ireland Public Sector Shared Network (NI PSSN) contract
BT has been awarded a multi-million pound nine year contract by the Department of Finance (DoF) to provide industry leading telecommunications services to all public sector bodies across Northern Ireland.
BT will deliver network and unified communication services including new hardware, software and network security services across eleven Government departments and other public sector bodies.
The contract, which is valued at around £50m over nine years, could grow to a maximum of £400m as other services and customers take advantage of the benefits the new network offers.
Paul Murnaghan, BT Enterprise’s regional director in Northern Ireland, said: “BT is committed to playing its part in helping to shape and deliver transformational public services for people across Northern Ireland now and into the future.”
“This contract will see us deliver a commercially innovative communications framework, which will provide the building blocks for a future-proofed solution to meet the developing needs of public sector users and citizens. Connecting public sector employees, citizens and services in ways that haven’t been possible before.
“We are committed to ensuring best value for money, providing the opportunity for all local communication providers to deliver their services.”
Paul Wickens, CEO of Enterprise Shared Services, Northern Ireland Civil Service, said: “This advanced network solution will allow us to provide high quality services. The new telecommunications infrastructure will replace a wide range of diverse networks. It offers high levels of security and operational stability, providing strong foundations for the new IT system for Northern Ireland’s citizens, who make use of a variety of public sector services.”
The contract underpins Northern Ireland’s Programme for Government and its stated objectives. The programme is an important enabler for the adoption of shared services across the public sector. In particular, the future provision of network services will provide better services for the people of Northern Ireland.
The first core network services will be available for use by summer 2019. BT will manage the core telecommunications infrastructure, including business continuity plans for the network.
Duncan is a technology professional with over 20 years experience of working in various IT roles. He has a interest in cyber security, and has a wide range of other skills in radio, electronics and telecommunications.