Telecoms Network and Infrastructure
Framework Description
Procurement for Housing's Telecoms Network and Infrastructure framework gives social housing organisations a route to 14 pre-vetted suppliers for networks, communications, mobile and digital inclusion. Its five lots cover network infrastructure, hardware and cybersecurity; unified communications on licence-based and pay-as-you-go terms; mobile, 5G and hardware under SmartConnect; and Wi-Fi, IoT and digital inclusion. It runs until 22 February 2029.
Context & Use Case
Landlords use it for their corporate IT and communications, such as office networks, cybersecurity and collaboration tools, and for services that reach residents, such as Wi-Fi in communal areas, IoT sensors and digital inclusion projects. The split between licence-based and pay-as-you-go unified communications lets buyers choose a commercial model that suits their budget.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Network infrastructure, hardware and cybersecurity Lot 2a: Unified communications and collaboration (licence-based) Lot 2b: Unified communications and collaboration (pay-as-you-go) Lot 3: SmartConnect: mobile, 5G and hardware solutions Lot 4: Digital inclusion, Wi-Fi and IoT solutions
Lots
Lot 1 Network infrastructure, hardware & cybersecurity; Lot 2a Unified communications & collaboration (licence-based); Lot 2b Unified communications & collaboration (pay-as-you-go); Lot 3 SmartConnect: Mobile, 5G & hardware solutions; Lot 4 Digital inclusion, Wi-Fi & IoT solutions
Who Can Apply
Suits network integrators, cybersecurity providers, unified communications vendors, mobile and 5G providers, and Wi-Fi and IoT specialists working with housing or public sector clients. Applications for this framework are closed, and with an end date of 22 February 2029 the next opening is some way off.
Buyer Benefits
Buyers get the whole telecoms stack, from core network to resident Wi-Fi, through one agreement with suppliers PfH has already vetted. Flexible commercial models in Lot 2 avoid locking into long licence commitments, and the digital inclusion and IoT lot supports work on getting residents online and monitoring homes.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers should approach landlords with digital inclusion or connectivity plans and be ready to compete in call-offs. Those outside the framework should look for other open technology routes into housing now, and keep housing references and cybersecurity accreditations current ahead of the re-tender, likely around February 2029.
How Athena Can Help
With applications for this framework closed until 2029, telecoms firms outside it need other routes in. Athena's framework pipeline service finds technology frameworks and DPSs open now and prepares the applications. For appointed suppliers, Athena's competitor scoring and win themes help win call-offs, including in the digital inclusion lot where social value and added value can set a bid apart.
Our public sector IT bidding support covers direct tenders from landlords too.
