Transport for London signs £80m wide area network contract

Outsourcing group Capita has announced that it has won an £80 million contract to deliver and manage an internal internet network across more than 1,000 stations and other sites run by Transport for London (TfL).

According to the five-year agreement, which includes an optional five-year extension, a transition period will take place ahead of the August 2018 delivery date during which the firm will create advanced wide area networks, local area networks and WiFi networks.

TfL has suggested that the consolidation if its previous internet contracts into one single network service contract will result in a saving of at least £33 million, taking into account the total IFRS 15 transaction price of £135 million.

Under the agreement, Capita will take on all existing services while ensuring a successful technical update and the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the new wide area network during the contracted period. The firm has to also agree to undertake the simplification of the current complex infrastructure and to refresh all the equipment currently used to provide customers with free public WiFi across the London Underground network.

Commenting on the agreement, Jonathan Lewis, chief executive of Capita, said: "Our extensive networking solutions expertise and track record of undertaking large-scale critical network implementations for clients means we are well equipped to support the consolidation of TfL’s data network.”

He added: "We look forward to fully supporting TfL as they consolidate, transform and upscale their network services, essential to supporting mission critical data services across the London transport network."

Shashi Verma, chief technology officer for TfL also welcomed the new contract, stating that it will allow the transport operator to make vital improvements and ensure the network runs more efficiently while saving money and continuing to improve transport services.

(Image: Oxfordian Kissuth)