Network infrastructure

Tender description

Colchester Borough Council has been successful in bidding for Government funding under the DCMS-led Local Full Fibre Network Fund (LFFN). These funds will be used to create new gigabit-enabling fibre communications networks in a number of key locations within the Borough of Colchester. Full details of Colchester's actual requirements will be detailed within the scope of works of the separate lots, with further detail provided within the tender documents. To deliver a GPON and Active Ethernet data transmission layer for the provision of broadband and other digital services requiring high bitrate transmission. This densification will be achieved by the repurposing and modernisation of multiple, Council-owned CCTV, duct, chamber and other physical assets, as well as the creation of a number of new nodes and future handover/connection points. The purpose of the densification of the town centre network is to significantly reduce the distance between existing network termination points (primary and secondary access nodes — PANs/SANs) and therefore the costs and logistical difficulties of making the ‘final drop’ connection between a PAN/SAN and the end customer. The Council’s flagship mixed-use development zone located around J28 of the A12. Working in conjunction with the Council’s housebuilding and district heat centre operator, the contractor will build a network showcasing the cost-effective deployment of fibre assets alongside other utilities and the aim of making fibre present at every new business and residential property built by the Council. Facilitating the future deployment of the local layer for the provision of ultrafast connectivity to a number of key residential and business clusters in urban Colchester. The contractor will demonstrate efficient management of a large physical network build in a busy urban environment with all due regard to any requirements imposed by the Highways authority in the context of the NRSWA 1991.