The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has appointed networking technology provider Cisco as its partner in the development and implementation of the GM One Network.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco will deploy the public sector digital infrastructure, which will provide members of the GMCA with a single network. By rationalising and modernising the infrastructure, the GMCA said it expects to deliver significant savings and service improvements.
“This is a huge achievement for Greater Manchester’s public sector and really demonstrates the value of collaboration,” said Mayor Andy Burnham in a statement. “Ensuring our services are more efficient supports our ambition that everyone in Greater Manchester, whatever their age, location or situation, can benefit from the opportunities digital brings.”
Ten councils make up the GMCA and the body works closely with other public sector bodies in the region. In May 2021, the GMCA confirmed its intention to develop the GM One Network following an independent consultation. It announced that following a discovery project by digital transformation consultancy UBDS, it was tendering for a supplier to build the network.
GM One Network will connect 1200 public sector sites and is expected to deliver major savings over a 10-year period when compared with the operating costs of the existing legacy networking technology.
“Public sector infrastructure and networks haven’t changed much in the last 25 years; however, the amount of interconnectivity between public sector organisations has increased as we work together more closely,” GMCA said.
The GMCA said it expects the new network to improve mobile working, end-user experience, and the adoption of software-defined networking. Financial savings are expected from the reduced number of local area networks (LAN), reduced spending on wide area networks (WAN) and buying power as a shared infrastructure. The agreement will also provide GMCA with access to next-generation networking technologies such as 5G, WiFi6 and Open Roaming.
Cisco will also commit to a number of social outcomes. Cisco said in a statement it would create a new Social Innovation Programme in Manchester. The programme will support socially-oriented start-ups and R&D institutions to design and deliver products and services.
