TNP secures place on nationwide education telecom framework

Lancaster-based The Networking People (TNP) has been appointed to the nationwide telecommunications framework, a service from Jisc, bringing innovative high-capacity connectivity to further and higher education institutions and research organisations across the UK.

In a significant victory on the national stage, TNP was selected as part of a very small number of suppliers under strict UK and EU procurement legislation participating in an OJEU-published tender.

The new framework began on 20 June and runs for four years until 19h June 2018. Split into two lots – namely, managed transmission services and dark fibre – it may be used by further and higher education purchasing consortia, specialist colleges and research council establishments in the UK.

The framework enables the purchase of transmission services including leased circuits, dark fibre, wide-area Ethernet and xDSL.

“We’re committed to providing our community with the best value services to suit business needs,” said Steve Kennett, head of operational services at Janet: a part of Jisc.

“Our framework makes it possible for the research and education community to save time and money when purchasing a range of transmission services. There’s no need for customers to go through the procurement process unless they wish to run a competition between suppliers that we have shortlisted and evaluated. Imagine the time that saves.”

Chris Wade, commercial director at TNP, said: “This agreement further demonstrates TNP’s real commitment to the public sector and to education in particular. Users of the framework will be able to benefit directly from our experience in designing, building and supporting higher education based networks.

"In addition to cost effective leased line solutions, TNP offers the ability for customers to own their own infrastructure, reducing operating costs and leveraging existing investment with the option of using alternative technologies. We allow much greater flexibility and long-term sustainability, which we know is sorely needed in the education sector.

“We’re thrilled to have received this recognition on a national scale, validating TNP as a major player within the UK education sector.” The agreement will further TNP’s portfolio of prestigious projects within the public sector, following a recent contracts with Blackpool Council, Shetland Islands Council and Stirling Council to design and build a Wide Area Network owned by the local authority, enabling it to deliver reliable, cost-effective broadband to the region’s schools, libraries and public buildings.