Digital Districts: Next Generation Wireless Connectivity - S30.

Descriptions

Birmingham City Council wishes to take positive action towards improving digital connectivity across Birmingham, and wants to take a lead in finding innovative solutions to encourage its citizens to be able to benefit from the digital revolution. This contract provides an opportunity to develop commercial models in partnership with Birmingham for wireless connectivity, working with BCC as a sole corporate landlord, facilitating commercial negotiations for access to and use of the City's 230+ tower blocks, 95 000+ lamp posts and other City Council owned assets. BCC seeks a partner who can provide a wholesale, open access digital wireless network which will enable increased broadband speeds compared to 3G, increased levels of accessibility to high speed mobile broadband services and a ubiquitous, high speed, innovative service and product proposition to help tackle digital exclusion. The successful partner must be prepared to make a significant investment in equipment, systems and services to bring next generation connectivity to the city and to work with BCC to realise the appropriate vehicle for the implementation of a ubiquitous next generation network across the city and suburbs of Birmingham. The council considers that a Joint Venture approach in partnership with Birmingham is likely to be the most suitable option for citywide, ubiquitous next generation wireless connectivity, and welcomes expressions of interest from organisations or consortia prepared to consider this approach. However, if an alternative solution would be more advantageous to this project, the council is also willing to consider this.