Connectivity - PSTN Lines and Calls Services -

Tender description

PSTN Lines and Calls Services There are approximately 2000 Public Switched Telephone Network PSTN lines within the estate that cannot be converted to digital lines as these carry Telemetry data. Digital lines lose connectivity when there is a power outage which means the monitoring and alerting would be compromised if there was a power outage on this infrastructure. This could in turn cause many further issues and problems within the infrastructure. There are some solutions being developed but these are not due for release until the end of November 2024. BT as the current Supplier, has been undertaking testing with the Project Team this year. This will provide Defra and partner agencies time to work with 3rd parties to ensure that these services can be moved or upgraded in a timely manner. There is also a need to ensure that we have a solution for lines that are cancelled in error as these circuits once terminated cannot be switched back on. If a new PSTN Lines and Calls contract is not in place, there will be no vehicle to provide the Pre-Digital solution BT are offering, which will be required by DEFRA services that have not been migrated or cannot be migrated at present to digital service offerings. This work is specifically described under Delivery Outcomes within the GIO Delivery Portfolio (Replacement of the PSTN Service that will be turned off by BT in 2025)