Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

Tender description

The Better Broadband for Norfolk (BBfN) Programme is working to extend access to superfast broadband across Norfolk, beyond the reach of commercially funded deployments. Coverage across is expected to reach 95 % of Norfolk properties by the completion of the current rollout at the end March 2020. This contract is seeking to provide further next generation access infrastructure to provide access for as many of the remaining 5 % of properties as possible. The winning bid has met the requirements of the State Aid “umbrella scheme” approved by the European Commission which sets out the criteria for compatible projects: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/state_aid/cases/263954/263954_1760328_135_4.pdf This procurement is to further extend coverage of Next Generation Access (NGA) Broadband across Norfolk. Better Broadband for Norfolk (tranche 3) aims to provide access for as near to 100 % of properties as possible. The contract will provide further coverage of NGA broadband infrastructure (capable of delivering download speeds of at least 30 Mbps) in areas within its programme area where such broadband will be unavailable. Better Broadband for Norfolk conducted its first Open Market Review (OMR) in June 2012. The OMR indicated that planned commercial coverage for NGA broadband would reach approximately 42 % of premises within the next 3 years, and would therefore leave the remaining 58 % of premises without access to NGA broadband. In December 2012, a contract was awarded to deliver NGA broadband to these premises. In the 2013 spending review, the Government announced a further allocation of funding under the Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) Superfast Programme, with the aim of increasing NGA coverage across the UK to at least 95 % by the end of 2017. Following an open procurement, a contract for Better Broadband for Norfolk Superfast Extension Programme was awarded. BDUK received approval on 26.5.2016 from the European Commission on its new National Broadband Scheme for the United Kingdom (referred to hereafter as the 2016 NBS). Better Broadband for Norfolk has conducted this further procurement under the 2016 NBS.