Green light for Wales ICT network
Kable
Published: 25 Jun 2007 17:15 BST
The European Commission has given the go-ahead to the Welsh Assembly Government's project, which will be one of the first of its kind in the UK, designed to provide a unified, high bandwidth, ICT network for public sector organisations in Wales.
Due to the scale and complexity of the procurement, the Welsh Assembly Government notified the project to the European Commission in January this year. The European Commission has now ruled that it does not conflict with European procurement regulations on state aid.
Competition commissioner Neelie Kroes said: "The Welsh authorities designed the procurement for the public sector network in such a way that it does not involve state aid. The Commission is satisfied that the procedure is compliant with the EU's public procurement directives and suitable for achieving best value for money."
The network will deliver huge potential for shared services and improved data sharing. It is intended to replace existing networks such as the Lifelong Learning Network used by local authorities, the metropolitan area networks of the higher and further education sector and the Digital All Wales Network used by NHS Wales. The contract is due to be awarded in the next few months.
The project could grow to encompass some 5,500 individual sites across Wales. A team of public sector stakeholders will help develop plans for new initiatives for shared services.
"The procurement of this high bandwidth network service will give Wales opportunities to lead the rest of the UK in 'joined up' government and improved service delivery," said Dr Brian Gibbons, minister for the economy and transport. "It will mark a major step forward in achieving the aims of Making the Connections — the Assembly Government's future vision for better public services for the people of Wales."
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