Telecommunications services

Tender description

The purpose of this prior information notice (PIN) is to seek information from designers and builders of telecoms networks to further inform Network Rail of the feasibility via a due diligence study, and if viable implementation of a telecoms solution to deliver uninterrupted high-speed cellular internet and mobile reception from Wrexham to Holyhead including the capability to use data connectivity to the train to improve train Wi-Fi services. Network Rail wishes for an uninterrupted service to improve the passenger experience along this route as part of a pilot. If this pilot is successful Network Rail has aspirations to use this approach on other routes across the country where viable. Network Rail is seeking to: — undertake this at no cost to the tax payer, — to have a Concessionaire model (although feedback on other commercial models are sought as part of this PIN), where the concessionaire is responsible for the delivery of a solution, negotiating with MNOs to serve passengers directly, — to understand the range of revenue share options available to Network Rail once the successful company has made a return on their investment, and — understand how investment by Network Rail may increase its long-term revenue. There is already Wi-Fi provision on some trains between Wrexham and Holyhead, however this is not uninterrupted for the entire route and is not as fast as the workplace or the home. Network Rail’s wishes to improve the passenger experience where people can use the train as an extension of the office or people can download films to their devices during the whole of their journeys. It is understood that mobile data traffic is increasing each year along with our use of mobile applications on the move. If this pilot is successful Network Rail may look to implement this approach to other routes where there is a business case combined with a competitive tender for the work. Respondents should have a proven experience of running similar telecoms networks ideally in a railway or similar environment and should return the PIN questionnaire attached to the opportunity listing in Bravo NR (Link Below).