Planning

WCC Multi network sim cards

WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

09 Apr 2026 at 15:19

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Warwickshire County Council is in the planning stage of a procurement process seeking to improve its mobile data connectivity through the purchase of multi-network SIM cards. This process, under the initiative titled "WCC Multi Network SIM Cards", is focused on enhancing connectivity for transport, highways, IoT devices, and survey-related equipment. The engagement involves a market engagement scheduled to conclude with returns by 8th May 2026, and aims to assess the market's ability to provide a solution that offers resilient and high availability connections. This procurement falls under the industry categories of networks and telecommunications equipment, with the Council situated in Warwick, United Kingdom.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in mobile network technology, especially those offering innovative multi-network SIM solutions. It is particularly suitable for companies capable of providing robust network management platforms, SIM provisioning, and coverage optimization to support diverse operational assets across varying geographic locations. Small to medium-sized enterprises are encouraged to participate, given the lot's suitability for them. By engaging in this procurement, businesses can potentially support the Council in achieving improved operational performance, reduced device downtime, and greater connectivity reliability, while gaining visibility and experience in serving a public sector client.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

WCC Multi network sim cards

Notice Description

Warwickshire County Council currently uses a mixture of single network SIM cards to support various transport, highways, and survey related equipment, including traffic counters, monitoring stations, IoT devices, and mobile field assets. These SIMs have historically been procured on an ad hoc basis from different providers, resulting in varied contract terms, inconsistent coverage, and limited flexibility when equipment is deployed across rural and urban locations. Over time, the increased use of mobile and remotely deployed technologies has highlighted several limitations with the current single network approach. Devices operating in areas with weak or unreliable coverage from a specific network can experience downtime, data loss, or delayed reporting. This affects operational efficiency, asset reliability, and the accuracy of data used to inform highways planning and other service functions. In addition, managing multiple contracts and SIM types creates administrative complexity and reduces the ability to standardise procurement across teams. As the Council increases its adoption of connected devices, sensors, and distributed monitoring equipment, the need for resilient, high availability mobile connectivity has grown. Multi network (or "steered/non steered roaming") SIM technology is now widely available and offers improved coverage by automatically connecting to the strongest available network. This increases reliability and reduces service interruptions, particularly in remote areas of Warwickshire where coverage varies significantly between providers. The move toward a more unified and flexible mobile connectivity solution aims to support improved operational performance, reduced device downtime, more consistent reporting, and simpler contract management. The Council is undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement to better understand the current market capability for providing Multi Network SIM solutions. Specifically: * The Council has not procured a consolidated Multi Network SIM solution before, and wishes to engage with a variety of suppliers to ensure all available options, risks, and opportunities are considered before entering a formal procurement process. * We are seeking to explore innovative connectivity models that will best support our transport, highways, IoT, and survey related operations, ensuring resilience, strong coverage, and value for money. * This process provides an opportunity for organisations to demonstrate their capabilities, including those who may be able to deliver only specific elements (e.g., management platforms, SIM provisioning, or coverage optimisation). Supplier insight will help shape a service model that improves the reliability and performance of mobile data connectivity across a diverse range of Council assets. The information gathered during this market testing exercise will inform our procurement approach and ensure the chosen solution meets the Council's operational requirements, strategic objectives, and budgetary considerations. The Council is seeking to procure a Multi Network SIM Card solution that provides resilient, high availability mobile data connectivity for a wide range of operational assets, including traffic survey equipment, transport monitoring devices, IoT sensors, and other field deployed technologies. The service aims to significantly improve coverage, reduce device downtime, and support accurate, real time data transmission irrespective of geographic location. The proposed solution should allow devices to automatically connect to the strongest available mobile network at any given time, ensuring continuity of service when equipment is deployed across areas with variable signal strength. The service may include options for steered or non steered roaming, depending on market capability and value for money.

Planning Information

Warwickshire County Council will be using its e-tendering system (WarwickshireCC) for the administration of this market engagement. Suppliers must register with the system to be able to download documents. The web address for the portal is: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/warwickshirecc/aspx/Home Registration and use of our portal is free. When registering you will be re-directed to the In-Tend sell2midlands site. If you already registered and have issues logging in then you may need to re-set your password. You will need to select "Log in to portal" next to Warwickshire County Council. All correspondence or clarifications relating to this market testing must be via the portals' correspondence function. If you are having trouble registering with the portal please email us at: procurement@warwickshire.gov.uk The deadline for Market Testing Returns is Friday 8th May 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067f62
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032573-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

CPV Codes

32400000 - Networks

32500000 - Telecommunications equipment and supplies

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Apr 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 May 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Aug 2026 - 3 Aug 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WARWICK
Postcode
CV34 4SA
Post Town
Coventry
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG1 Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG13 Warwickshire CC
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Warwick
Electoral Ward
Warwick Saltisford
Westminster Constituency
Warwick and Leamington

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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