Supplier sought for GM One Network

Following the rollout of £23.8 million Local Full Fibre Networks Programme, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is now seeking a supplier to deliver the GM One Network that will integrate IT infrastructure across the city-region’s public sector.

A single active network infrastructure across a significant number of Greater Manchester’s public sector organisations, GM One Network aims to take advantage of the benefits of full-fibre connectivity by enabling network services across the region to be provided more efficiently, securely, and flexibly.

GMCA, on behalf of the initial GM One Network partners, contracted UBDS to undertake a discovery and develop an outline business case for the proposals. In addition to financial, other benefits over the period 2022-32 could include:

• Improved user experience, by providing a common and consistent platform for each organisation to use, users can seamlessly move between public spaces
• The acceleration of adopting modern working practices such as remote and mobile working
• The ability to reduce revenue spend on wide area networks (WAN), interconnect services and core network infrastructure, including routers and firewalls – through standardisation and reducing duplication
• A “do things once” approach for Greater Manchester, removing the need for individual approach in each local authority
• Moving to a software/policy defined network platform, where reduced effort will be required to deploy, configure and install network infrastructure, using automation to reduce the need for third party site visit
• Wireless-first approach reducing the required density of fixed local area networks LAN connectivity, which will reduce site installation and maintenance costs
• Additional buying power and using shared network infrastructure

GMCA has now begun a tender process to find a supplier to deliver the design, implementation, management and maintenance of a network platform across approximately 1,200 sites in Greater Manchester.

More details on the the tender process and requirements available via The Chest. Applications close at 12pm on 28^th May 2021.