The Future of Fibrespeed - Beyond 2025

Tender description

The Fibrespeed network, is a fibre network owned by the Welsh Government and operated by Fibrespeed Ltd on its behalf. The existing contract to operate the network is due to expire on 31st March 2025. Welsh Government are using this prior information notice (PIN) to commence engagement with the market to explore the possible options for the future of the network beyond the existing contract term. Lot 1: The 411km fibre live network comprises a single duct, with extensive break out points and a 96-fibre cable. The network features 13 Points of Presence and extends west to east between Parc Cybi, Holyhead, Anglesey, and Manchester Reynolds House colocation facility. The network also has 8 wireless masts ranging in height from 15m to 25m distributed across several PoPs, with associated colocation capability that can provide fibre infrastructure or wireless connectivity across adjacent business parks, alongside 10 carrier neutral connectivity sites. In addition to the main network route, there are also additional duct and fibre network assets with multiple interconnect points built to the same specification extending south between Caernarfon and Pwllheli that are not currently live but that are ready for service (together, and defined hereinafter as, "the Network") The Welsh Government is looking to ascertain if there is market interest in one or both of the following options: 1) Purchasing the Network out-right 2) Operating the Network via a commercial agreement with the Welsh Government If applicable, (i) please confirm your interest in one or both of the above options; and (ii) by way of a brief summary, set out the reasons for your interest in one or both of the above options (as the case may be): to NextGenerationBroadB1@gov.wales by 14:00 on 08th September 2023. Further information is set out in a memorandum of information available to download via this PIN.