Contract for the Provision of In-building Wireless Hotspots in Public Buildings.

Descriptions

The ambition for Oxford is to have free wireless connectivity for those who visit, live and work in the city. The Council's wireless hotspot project, alongside our wireless on public transport and wireless concession projects will enable wireless coverage to include:— Park and Ride sites;— Buses operating in the Oxford Smart Zone (non-tourist bus services);— The city centre area;— Museums, galleries and other free to access public buildings.Free access to this wireless connectivity will provide a world class digital experience for the nine million visitors to our world class city each year and to the residents who live in the city. Oxford is a winner of UK Government Urban Broadband Fund to become a ‘Super Connected City'. Alongside our ultrafast broadband ambitions our wireless network will be a key ingredient in Oxford's aspirations to be a Smart City.The Hotspots project will enhance Oxford's offer to visitors to the city, through providing wireless connectivity in our galleries and museums as well as at park and ride sites and the visitor information centre. In addition it is seen as a key driver for digital and social inclusion by providing free next generation wireless services in Oxford's community centres, libraries and leisure centres.The Council wishes to select a suitably qualified and experienced organisation to design, deploy and operate a managed wireless hotspot service across its property portfolio. This service will offer visitors and residents access to a world class wireless hotspot facility in all public accessible spaces.Grant funding of up to GBP 850 k is available for the project.It is expected that the successful bidder will procure an appropriate network connectivity to the sites, as the Council requires this network to be separate from existing corporate networks.The Council intends to award a 3 year contract with an option to extend for up to 2 years.