Virgin Media Business has been selected by the London Grid for Learning (LGfL) to power a £200 million network that will transform the delivery of public services in and around London. The LGfL, a consortium of all 33 London Local Authorities, is launching the new Public Sector Network – the LondonPSN – which will provide a secure and comprehensive communications infrastructure, serving the needs of schools and other public bodies across the region.
Using the framework, local councils, schools and other public sector organisations in the capital will be able to procure voice, data technology and related ICT services easily at competitive prices. The new framework will replace the legacy network LGfL have in place.
The first phase of the network will see LGfL and Virgin Media Business create an unrivalled blueprint for up to 2,800 schools, changing the way education is delivered across London. Virgin Media Business’ fibre optic network will provide best value broadband and communication services connecting up to 3,200 unique education locations and is expected to save schools in the London area up to £100m per year[1].
Schools using the network will be able to change the learning environment and provide the very best learning experience through the effective use of new technologies such as video conferencing, e-learning tools, virtual learning platforms and podcasts.
“There has never been a more important time than this to use London schools’ collective buying power to achieve the best value services,” said Brian Durrant, Chief Executive, London Grid for Learning Trust. “With the right learning tools and technology in place, every child can be empowered to have the best chance in life. A dynamic and technically advanced learning environment will be at the heart of every London school in the future and with this framework in place, a new era of learning can begin.”
“As public sector organisations are faced with ever more challenging efficiency targets, the ability to securely share services across council or government departments will be a considerable benefit. By using the new LondonPSN procurement, any Local Authority will be able to avoid the high cost of running yet another procurement and purchase services that will harness efficiencies as well as benefit from more affordable prices,” said Mr Durrant.
In future phases of the framework, any local council, local government and other public sector organisations across London will be able to procure services via the LondonPSN. With links from 10 Megabits-per-second (Mbps), and the option to scale up to 10 Gigabits-per-second (Gbps), public sector organisations will be able to make the most of high bandwidth, data rich facilities and shared services both now and in the future.
“The potential growth of the LondonPSN is absolutely vast,” said Mark Heraghty, Managing Director, Virgin Media Business. “It will not only give schools across the capital the means and tools to provide a richer, more interactive learning environment for their pupils but any and every public sector organisation will be able to make a more resourceful and cost-effective use of ICT through this platform for shared services.”
“The LondonPSN is at the heart of how the public sector in London will procure and use the newest and best technology effectively. Sharing services is not just about reducing costs and improving services, but allowing different departments and organisations to use technology to work together efficiently. This is a hugely important investment for Virgin Media Business and we’re committed to working with the public sector to help it thrive,” said Mr Heraghty.
In November 2010, Virgin Media Business signed a Deed of Understanding to provide its super-fast, nationwide fibre-optic network to the UK Government to underpin the Public Sector Network (PSN). It also works with 28 of the 33 London Boroughs and delivers PSN services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on the HSPN2 framework.
- ends -
[1] Buss, C (2010) Report on the value for money of the London Grid for Learning, Wandsworth Council
About London Grid for Learning
All 33 London Councils collectively own and share in the governance of the London Grid for Learning Trust (LGfL). Incorporated in 2001, the Trust provides a secure means by which the Capital’s public authorities are able to secure best value through aggregated procurement of broadband infrastructure and related services.
The LGfL provides a wide array of services and resources which enhance the delivery of education and council services in the region. In 2006 the Trust fully met the Prime Minister’s challenge of ‘every school on broadband’ and welcomes a new partnership with Virgin Business Media to refresh and extend its infrastructure and communications services.
About Virgin Media Business
Virgin Media Business has the UK’s only nationwide fibre optic network, carrying 35 per cent of all business broadband traffic. Already able to reach 85 per cent of businesses in the UK, Virgin Media Business has the ability to connect to all organisations. The largest business-to-business brand in the Virgin group, it prides itself on delivering innovative, high quality solutions that breakdown the barriers facing UK businesses today.
Staff are located at 40 offices across the country, meaning that Virgin Media Business really is closer to its customers. Organisations working with Virgin Media Business include London City Airport, Nottingham Building Society, Arqiva, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership and South West Water.
To see analysis on the current issues surrounding business-to-business telecoms please visit our blog or get involved and http://twitter.com/vmbusiness.
