National Broadband Scheme
You may be aware that the procurement process for the National Broadband
Scheme (NBS) was commenced by the Minister on May 2nd. A contract notice
was issued on eTenders and in the Official Journal European Union (OJEU).
The competition for the award of a contract for the NBS will be by way
of a competitive dialogue procedure.
The successful candidate chosen by the Department for the NBS will be required to provide broadband services to residential and business locations in specified areas within a defined timeframe.
The winning Service Provider or consortium of Service Providers will be required to ensure that the services it provides are affordable, sustainable and scaleable with a view to ensuring that retail subscribers are provided with a broadband service to a specification, which is closely analogous to broadband service typically enjoyed by users in urban areas.
There will be a requirement for the Service Provider to provide a wholesale product, at an appropriate wholesale price, which will be available to other operators in the market. It is envisaged that the contract with the successful candidate, will be signed at the end of 2007.