Expressions of interest – Service to support rural communities to improve digital connectivity

Tender description

Ambition North Wales’s Digital Programme is aiming to deliver investment in digital infrastructure in the region to support the objectives of the North Wales Growth Vision. Investment, including through the North Wales Growth Deal, will support communities and industries across the economy and will address gaps and opportunities associated with a wide range of telecommunications technologies. Investment will be directed across the region in both urban and rural areas to support local and regional needs. The Programme also recognises a role for non-capital interventions to improve connectivity, particularly in supporting rural communities understand options for improving their connectivity. To achieve the objective of improving digital connectivity for mainly rural areas, Ambition North Wales intends to procure a service to engage with communities to explain funding and technology options, provide guidance on local connectivity issues and support through funding application processes. The service will involve personnel delivering relevant guidance and practical support where appropriate to individuals, group and businesses. Where necessary the service will assist with liaising with network operators and funding bodies on behalf of communities within the counties of Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd and Ynys Mon. Most of the work is intended to be delivered throughout 2024. An appropriate exit strategy will need to be developed before the project starts and refined during delivery. Where additional funding sources are identified and if there is a demonstrable need to provide a similar service beyond 2024 Ambition North Wales will consider this option. This service will involve the promotion of national (UK and Welsh) funding opportunities for upgrading broadband and engagement with communities to support successful applications to relevant schemes such as government voucher schemes and the broadband Universal Service Obligation, for example. The service will also promote public awareness of commercial network improvements in an impartial manner, where doing so will incentivise or otherwise facilitate private investment in communities.