DC08-178 June 10, 2008
BT puts Network Rail on new track
BT wins £30m contract to deliver IP network to Britain’s rail infrastructure operator
BT today announced that it has won the contract to provide Network Rail with voice and data communication services, which will see much of its legacy infrastructure replaced by new fixed line voice and internet services. The £30m, three-year deal will cover all of Network Rail’s several hundred sites, including offices, control centres, depots, signal boxes, and level crossings.
Network Rail is one of the most high-profile organisations in the UK, managing over 20,000 miles of track responsible for carrying three million passengers every day. The new IP infrastructure will offer significantly more reliable communications and contribute to Network Rail’s overall efficiency programme to reduce costs.
This announcement builds on BT’s existing pedigree in the IP field – it currently operates more IP networks than any other organisation in the UK. Meanwhile, as Network Rail’s new preferred supplier for voice and data communications, BT will provide the rail operator’s voice and data wide area network until the IP network goes live.
John Dovey, president UK corporates, said: “We are delighted to secure this contract with Network Rail. It is an organisation that is subject to more public scrutiny than most and its technology infrastructure needs to be reliable, cost-effective and fit for the challenges of the future. The new IP network will be central to bringing this vision to life.”
Catherine Doran, Director of Information Management, said: “We chose BT as we were impressed by its strong customer service orientation and competitive pricing. We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership in the coming years.”
The new network will ultimately be integrated into Network Rail’s FTN project, which will renew and replace 16,000km of copper cabling and 11,000km of fibre optic cabling in readiness to launch a state-of-the-art digital driver-to-signaler radio system.
