The Provision of Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and related services

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Notice Description

This request constitutes a continuation waiver following the original waiver approved in 2024 for PS50,000. As the approved value has now been fully utilised, a further waiver is required to ensure the ongoing provision of the service. The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) will be switched off by 31st January 2027 with UK telecom industry upgrading landline services to new digital technology such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Digital Voice or Internet Protocol (IP) technology. The telecom industry in the UK is retiring analogue telephone networks such PSTN and ISDN as they have been in operation for decades and have reached the end of their serviceable life; due to difficulties in sourcing parts to maintain and repair connections as suppliers are no longer manufacturing them. A general country wide ramification of PSTN and ISDN networks being switched off means that any devices connected to phone line such as access control system, CCTV alarm systems using these networks will stop working. More specifically the implication for Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) is that these networks are utilised to receive critical 999 calls in its control centre for all three Thames Valley Partners through the Unicorn agreement which has come to an end on 31st July 2024 with no option for extension. The rationale for this service to be waivered is for the authority to directly contract with BT as a rolling contract to transfer legacy network services from Unicorn contract to RBFA. This is being done due to the market being restricted with suppliers ceasing selling of new traditional phones lines as of September 2023 and the agreement under which these services are currently sourced coming to an end on 31st July 2024. It is essential that the Service have these network services to maintain continuity of service for the authority to fulfil its vital statutory duty and allow the authority to complete the migration to a new service. Procurement process and new digital technology for its landline requirement have been conducted and a contract for a new solution signed with BT. However, as the migration is contingent on infrastructure and services being deployed, the current service must be maintained in the interim. Therefore, the recommendation is to award the contract for PSTN and ISDN to BT to maintain continuity of service to receive critical 999 calls, essential for the authority to perform its statutory duty until the authority completes its procurement process to source new digital technology for its landline requirement. Because effective competition is prevented due telecom sector led initiative to switch off legacy landline technology, the supply or service is unique to a single supplier such as proprietary or patented goods or is deemed necessary due to the requirements of operational alignment and there is no satisfactory alternative as no other service providers are re-contracting for this service, the service or works are of a specialist nature and can only be carried out by one supplier and if the services are not procured there is a risk of danger to life or property or a major impact on the Authority or the public as that would hinder receiving of critical 999 calls.

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-06b5bb
Publication Source: Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056542-2026
Current Stage: Award
All Stages: Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type: UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type: Standard
Procurement Category: Services
Procurement Method: Direct
Procurement Method Details: Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability: Not specified
Awardee Scale: Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions: 64 - Postal and telecommunications services
CPV Codes: 64200000 - Telecommunications services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value: Not specified
Lots Value: Not specified
Awards Value: Not specified
Contracts Value: £50,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date: 16 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: Not specified
Award Date: 7 Jun 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period: 7 Jun 2026 - 31 Aug 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence: Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status: Complete
Lots Status: Complete
Awards Status: Active
Contracts Status: Active

Buyer & Supplier

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: ROYAL BERKSHIRE FIRE AUTHORITY
Contact Name: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality: READING
Postcode: RG31 7SD
Post Town: Reading
Country: England
Major Region (ITL 1): TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2): TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3): TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location: Not specified
Local Authority: West Berkshire
Electoral Ward: Tilehurst Birch Copse
Westminster Constituency: Reading West and Mid Berkshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers: 1
Supplier Name: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056542-2026
16th June 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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JSON Markdown

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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