Private 5G network (P5GN) solution for the CoSTAR National Lab

Concepts

• networks
• egham
• p5gn
• the costar national lab
• private 5g network
• the costar national lab the university
• private 5g network (p5gn) solution
• the costar network
• the costar national lab. provision
• network

Location

London

Description

Provision of Private 5G network (P5GN) solution for the CoSTAR National Lab

Total Quantity or Scope

The University is engaging BT to provide private 5G network to 4 sites for the CoSTAR Network: at Pinewood Studios, Abertay University, Ulster University and University of York sites, plus silver package service support.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 32400000 - Networks

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

The contract with BT Telecommunications for the provision of private 5G network to the CoSTAR National Lab and 3 x Network Labs is at the centre of the CoSTAR Network's ability to perform collaborative R&D, connecting CoSTAR network sites in Pinewood Studios, Abertay University, Ulster University and University of York. The private 5G network is a core deliverable for the first 12 months of AHRC/UKRI funding, and the supplier was required to be able to provide the services nationally by Q2 of 2024. Without the ability to supply the 5G network within scope, the funding of the CoSTAR National Lab could have been affected. The CoSTAR National Lab competition required bidders to provide commercial partners who would coinvest in the development of the lab, with a specific requirement to provide 5G network as part of the competition. During an open call available to all universities and commercial creative industries, the University negotiated partnership with BT for the 5G network as part of the bid. It is our view that if the University had not followed this approach the CoSTAR grant would have delayed and deliverables put at risk, given that the BT contract is a foundational requirement and forms an integral part of the CoSTAR National Lab delivery to the CoSTAR Network. This partnership will allow CoSTAR R&D programme to collaborate and share data. The Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication has been utilised for the above reasons.