The contract – one of the largest in the Scottish-headquartered company’s history – sees Commsworld expand its responsibilities and continue to transform the council’s infrastructure from ageing legacy networks to cutting-edge technologies and 5G network capabilities.
Commsworld now has responsibility for Glasgow’s Local Area Networks, Wi-Fi, firewall and security and remote access, to add to its delivery of a robust, resilient Wide Area Network (WAN) solution and IP telephony.
The new contract follows many years of digital infrastructure success for Commsworld in Scotland’s largest city. It previously delivered a comprehensive range of services that established Glasgow as a ‘Gigabit City’, delivering a WAN of ultra-fast, pure-fibre connectivity that transformed the city’s schools, libraries and other council buildings.
In total, it provided 525 WAN connections, connectivity to a 500-seat contact centre, and linked up all the council’s 18,000 phones on one unified network, delivering resilient, high-speed internet connections of up to 10Gbps to all sites, completing the project four months ahead of schedule.
Commsworld also secured a £5.8 million digital single supplier contract until 2030 to install, manage and support a scalable and flexible full fibre network to support the delivery of CCTV and traffic control services across Glasgow.
The new network – which is on track to be delivered this year – marked a huge step forward in delivering significant benefits to Glasgow, giving the council the technological capability to make more informed decisions on its data, and deliver more efficient, targeted services.
The company has also provided connectivity for a number of high-profile Glasgow events. These include fan zones for Euro 2020, TRNSMT and the World Pipe Band Championships, as well as seamless WAN, LAN and Wi-Fi connectivity for the UCI Cycling World Championships, an 11-day super-event held for the very first time in the city as well as throughout Scotland.
In each case its solutions are designed to align with the local authority’s vision and objectives, ensuring that all integration is seamless. By investing in advanced technology and communication capabilities, the council has enjoyed transformational access to better quality, reliable connectivity that has positioned them for continued success in the digital age.
The contract further adds to Commsworld’s reputation as a provider of choice with a history of supplying network services and school connectivity to local authorities throughout both Scotland and England, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, the Scottish Borders, Dundee and Northumberland.
Cllr Paul Leinster, Chair of the Digital Glasgow Board, said: “Digital technology underpins every part of the city’s Strategic Plan – and our new Digital Glasgow Strategy will be hugely important in supporting us to reduce poverty and inequality in our communities, increase opportunity and prosperity for citizens, secure a just transition to net zero and deliver innovative and sustainable public services.
“The next few years will also see major changes in how the council’s own ICT needs are met. The signing of this contract is a really significant step on that journey – and I’m pleased Glasgow is partnering with a leading Scottish company like Commsworld.”
Steve Langmead, Chief Executive of Commsworld, said: “We are delighted that Glasgow City Council has awarded Commsworld this contract, one of the largest in our history. It comes at a significant moment for Commsworld, as it is the 30th anniversary since the company was founded.
“By awarding us this new contract, Glasgow City Council has voiced a real vote of confidence not only in the work we have delivered for many years, but in the high-quality service which we provide with our key partners.
“We look forward to continuing this relationship so that more than ever before, the citizens who live and work in this great city can benefit from the best cutting-edge technology available today, technology that leads to better data-driven decision making and more targeted, quality services.”
