29 October 2018
The network covers over 6,000km of cabling, 145 transmission stations, over 10,000 roadside cabinets and 17,000 pieces of telecoms equipment.
Telent Technology Services has now successfully completed the transition of its contract to manage and transform Highways England’s road telecoms network.
Earlier this year, the mission-critical network solutions provider announced it had been awarded a £450m deal to operate and manage the National Roads Telecommunication Service (NRTS) on behalf of the government agency.
Under the seven-year contract, Telent has taken over the current NRTS which connects more than 30,000 roadside devices such as CCTV cameras and roadside phones to Highways England’s seven regional control centres.
The move will support the UK government’s Roads Investment Strategy, which will create free-flowing, smart and sustainable roads.
The new NRTS will enable Highways England to transform its network. Telent says it will allow the agency to deliver the next generation of telecoms to meet the needs of the business and support future technology developments such as 5G.
During the 26-week transition period since the contract started on 16 March, Telent says it has created:
- A 270-person organisation (with half of this number transferring under TUPE regulations)
- A 50-company supply chain; a nationwide logistics infrastructure with 240 delivery locations
- Around the clock network operations centre
- A new technology development centre; and transferred 39 live project schemes
The company claims this was all done without any impact on operational service.
The contract also includes a new initiative technology transformation programme which was a fundamental requirement specified by Highways England.
This comprises 11 tech projects, including the introduction of new wireless and IP CCTV services, new management systems and the next-generation upgrade of all technology.
According to Telent, the transformation programme will ultimately enable Highways England to prepare for the future and enable safer roads, more efficient delivery and a better road user experience.
“Our strength lies in our experience and processes with a proven track record of taking over networks and transforming them so they are fit for the future,” says Mark Plato, CEO at Telent.
“Ultimately, we will provide the world-class technology and services needed to develop and operate the intelligent highways of the future, thereby enabling safer roads, more efficient delivery and an improved experience for drivers.”
