Fibrespeed Pre-Exit Review

Descriptions

In November 2007 the Welsh Government signed the Fibrespeed Project Agreement to deliver high-speed wholesale connectivity to business parks in North Wales. The network, which was funded by the Welsh Government is retained under the ownership of the Welsh Government and following a contractual review in 2013, Fibrespeed Ltd is contracted to operate and maintain an offer of wholesale affordable advanced broadband services (a minimum of 10Mbps symmetrical) for:•businesses located in strategic business parks in north Wales at competitive prices.•dark fibre customers wishing to utilise the availability of the fibre infrastructureThe network comprises of a fibre network between Holyhead, Deeside and Wrexham, fibre networks on business parks in North Wales, telecommunications hub buildings and a number of wireless radio towers, plus fibre network assets not currently commercialised along this route.The contract runs until March 2025 and the Welsh Government needs to understand what the future best use of this network would be in order to meet its strategic objectives. The Welsh Government would like a full options appraisal which will need to include a technical, financial and commercial assessment of the network taking into consideration the national and international backhaul market, and, if appropriate, make recommendations to the Welsh Government in order to establish the most appropriate future use of the network at the end of the contract.The Welsh Government is looking to appoint a supplier to undertake the appraisal which should include:•A technical assessment of the network – to include a full investigation to estab-lish whether it is fit for purpose both for now and the future•The value of the network both from an asset and market value perspective•Options for the Welsh Government to consider that meet the Welsh Govern-ment’s strategic objectives whilst ensuring value for money for a Welsh Gov-ernment owned asset.•Work with Welsh Governments Fibrespeed Project Legal Advisors to ascertain legal implications of the below optionsOptions for the Welsh Government to consider relating to the future use of the network which should include the following options:•Selling the network•Retaining the network in its current commercial form•A different commercial model operating the network•Any other options that would meet the Welsh Government objectives.NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=122181.