Blackpool builds own high-speed network

Blackpool will become the owner of its own high-speed broadband network that will connect almost 100 schools, libraries, leisure centres, business incubator sites and public buildings across the town, thanks to a pioneering new project from Blackpool Council and Lancaster-based The Networking People (TNP).

TNP, as part of a £3.2m, five-year managed services contract, will design and build the council-owned wide area network (WAN) to reduce reliance on revenue budgets and ensure that everyone using the network will receive a robust, resilient service.

Schools will be offered the best-price connectivity available, as well as migration to the latest cloud-based IT and software services, including Google Apps and Microsoft 365. Web-based phone systems will also be installed, virtually eliminating schools’ phone bills.

Councillor Chris Maughan, cabinet member for technology, says: “This partnership is allowing the council to make significant savings at a time when the cost of telecoms is going up. It is also providing the town with resilient and secure connectivity that is completely under our control to grow and adapt as we do. It will modernise how the council delivers services to the public.”