Telecoms framework

Framework suppliers commit to a variety of social value initiatives which can include digital inclusion programmes supporting digitally excluded communities, training and skills development delivering digital literacy, apprenticeship provision supporting employment opportunities, environmental responsibility through energy-efficient infrastructure, and community investment. Digital inclusion commitments particularly support housing association objectives enabling resident access to online services, supporting employment prospects, and reducing social exclusion. Suppliers commit to delivering social value through individual call-off contracts enabling housing associations to specify requirements and track delivery. This ensures telecommunications and digital inclusion investments create community benefits beyond immediate organisational needs, supporting housing association missions of improving residents’ lives and supporting sustainable communities.

Managed firewall services monitor and control network traffic preventing unauthorised access and malicious activity, with managed providers handling configuration, monitoring, and threat response. Cloud security solutions extend firewall protection to cloud-based applications and data, protecting against threats targeting cloud infrastructure and SaaS applications. Housing associations require managed security protecting tenant data, preventing cyber attacks, ensuring regulatory compliance with data protection requirements, and maintaining business continuity. Our framework providesssaccess to suppliers with managed firewall services including next-generation firewalls with intrusion prevention, web application firewalls protecting web-based applications, cloud firewalls for cloud infrastructure, and security monitoring with 24/7 threat detection and response.

The framework explicitly prioritises cloud solutions reflecting sector-wide transition toward cloud-based infrastructure reducing on-premises hardware, simplifying management, and improving flexibility. Cloud-first approaches support housing associations through reduced capital expenditure on servers and infrastructure, simplified technical support through outsourced management, automatic security patching and updates, scalability supporting portfolio growth, and business continuity through geographic redundancy. Framework services include cloud hosting, cloud phone systems, cloud email, cloud storage, and cloud security enabling comprehensive cloud-first deployments. The framework also includes cloud transition and migration management services supporting organisations moving from legacy on-premises systems to cloud infrastructure.

Business telecommunications differs from consumer services through service level agreements guaranteeing availability and response times, dedicated technical support with priority issue resolution, scalability supporting organisational growth, professional-grade features including call recording and advanced analytics, integration with business systems and applications, security requirements protecting sensitive data, and reliability expectations supporting critical operations. Consumer telecommunications prioritises individual use with basic features, standard support, and no availability guarantees. Housing associations require business-grade telecommunications ensuring continuity of services supporting resident communications, maintaining security for tenant data, and supporting operational requirements including maintenance coordination and emergency response.

Managed IT services provide outsourced IT support and management including infrastructure management, helpdesk support, security monitoring, software updates, and system maintenance. Managed service providers (MSPs) act as extensions of internal IT teams or provide complete outsourced IT functions depending on organisational capabilities and requirements. Housing associations benefit from managed IT services through access to specialist expertise, reduced internal IT staffing requirements, proactive issue prevention through continuous monitoring, security management protecting tenant data, and cost predictability through fixed service fees. Our framework includes managed IT service providers offering comprehensive support from infrastructure management through user helpdesk, enabling housing associations to focus on core housing operations whilst ensuring reliable technology systems.

Housing associations access our framework by contacting us to discuss requirements across six lots covering Networking & Security (Lot 1), Unified Communications and Voice (Lot 2), Total Communications Solutions (Lot 3), Mobile Communications (Lot 4), Community Wifi & Digital Inclusion (Lot 5), and Internet of Things (Lot 6). We establish appropriate lots matching organisational needs, then proceed through direct award for straightforward requirements or mini-competition for complex solutions requiring competitive evaluation. We provide template call-off documentation and specification assistance. The framework runs from 7 February 2022 to 6 February 2025 (FTS reference 2021/S 000-018919). Our procurement team supports throughout from requirement definition through supplier selection and contract award.

Smart building solutions integrate IoT technology, networking, and analytics to optimise building operations, energy efficiency, security, and resident comfort. Smart buildings monitor environmental conditions automatically adjusting heating and cooling, detect occupancy enabling responsive services, predict maintenance needs preventing costly failures, and provide integrated security systems. Housing associations benefit from smart buildings through reduced operational costs via energy optimisation, improved resident comfort through environmental controls, enhanced security through integrated systems, and data-driven management decision-making. Smart building implementations range from individual building systems to organisation-wide integrated platforms supporting entire housing portfolios with centralised monitoring and control.

Internet of Things refers to networked devices and sensors collecting and sharing data, enabling monitoring, measurement, and control of physical environments. IoT applications for housing include building management sensors monitoring temperature, occupancy, and humidity, predictive maintenance sensors identifying equipment failure risk, security systems with IoT cameras and access controls, and utility monitoring reducing energy consumption. Housing associations use IoT solutions for improved asset management, reduced maintenance costs through predictive maintenance, energy efficiency supporting decarbonisation objectives, and enhanced security. Our framework provides IoT solutions including sensors, connectivity, data analytics, integration with housing management systems, and software development services supporting customised implementations.

Digital inclusion ensures individuals and communities have access to digital technology, the internet, digital skills, and support enabling participation in digital society. Digital exclusion impacts social housing residents through limited access to employment opportunities, government services, education, banking, and healthcare increasingly delivered online. Housing associations support digital inclusion through providing connectivity infrastructure, training and education services, device provision, support services, and advisory support accessing grants and funding. Our framework provides comprehensive digital inclusion solutions including community wifi, tablet provision with mobile connectivity, training services, online educational software, and grants advisory supporting housing associations in tackling digital exclusion and supporting resident wellbeing.

Community wifi provides broadband connectivity to residents in housing schemes, particularly benefiting digitally excluded populations lacking home internet access. Community wifi enables residents to access online services including government services, education, employment opportunities, and healthcare, reducing digital exclusion and supporting participation in modern society. Housing associations provide community wifi through site-based systems (community hub locations), neighbourhood wifi (estate-wide coverage), or combined approaches. Our framework provides community wifi solutions including hardware provision, connectivity, management systems, and associated training services supporting residents in developing digital skills. Community wifi implementations can operate on free access or pay-as-you-go models and may include tenant consultation supporting appropriate design and usage policies.

Network security protects organisational networks and data through firewalls, intrusion detection, anti-virus protection, and access controls preventing unauthorised access and data breaches. Network security includes perimeter protection, internal network segmentation, endpoint protection for individual devices, and monitoring for suspicious activity. Housing associations handle sensitive tenant data including personal information, financial details, and health information requiring robust security protecting against cyber threats, ransomware, and data theft. Our framework provides compliant access to suppliers with network security solutions including managed firewall services, web application firewalls, cloud cyber security, and network access control enabling organisations to implement defense-in-depth approaches protecting against evolving threats.

Cloud hosting services provide computing infrastructure and hosting for applications and data through off-site data centres, eliminating on-premises server requirements. Cloud hosting benefits organisations through reduced capital expenditure, simplified infrastructure management, automatic scaling supporting fluctuating demand, disaster recovery capabilities, and global redundancy. Housing associations use cloud hosting for mission-critical systems including housing management platforms, tenant portals, document storage, email systems, and backup services. Cloud hosting provides automatic security updates, compliance management, and backup/recovery capabilities reducing internal IT burden. Our framework provides cloud hosting services from established providers with security certifications, guaranteed uptime service levels, and integration support for housing sector-specific applications.

SD-WAN (Software Defined Wide Area Network) uses software to control and optimise network traffic across geographically dispersed locations, replacing expensive traditional dedicated lines with flexible internet-based connectivity. SD-WAN benefits organisations through significant cost savings, simplified network management through centralised control, improved application performance through intelligent routing, easier integration of new locations, and redundancy supporting business continuity. Housing associations with multiple properties benefit from SD-WAN through centralised management of all site connectivity, optimised performance for cloud applications including housing management systems, failover capabilities supporting service continuity during outages, and scalability supporting portfolio growth. SD-WAN enables organisations to transition from expensive MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) networks to efficient software-defined approaches.

Business broadband provides high-speed internet connectivity optimised for organisational use with service level agreements guaranteeing availability and response times. Business broadband typically offers faster speeds than consumer connections, dedicated support, priority issue resolution, and reliability guarantees supported by service credits for outages. Housing associations require reliable broadband supporting staff communications, resident-facing systems, tenant wifi provision, and integration with housing management systems. Bandwidth requirements vary based on property count, staff numbers, video conferencing usage, and digital inclusion initiatives. Our framework provides diverse broadband connectivity options including FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet), FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), leased lines, and SD-WAN enabling organisations to select appropriate technology matching their requirements and locations.

Business mobile contracts provide bulk mobile phone and data services for organisational staff, typically offering volume discounts, simplified billing, unified management, and corporate device provision. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions enable organisations to manage mobile devices including configuration, security patching, application management, and data protection. Housing associations require business mobile contracts supporting dispersed maintenance teams, housing officers visiting multiple properties, and mobile working capabilities. MDM ensures sensitive tenant and organisational data remains secure on staff devices, enforces password policies, enables remote device management, and supports compliance with data protection regulations. Our framework provides business mobile contracts with volume discounts, MDM solutions, and mobile device deployment services supporting complete mobile device lifecycle management.

Cloud telephony delivers phone system functionality through cloud-based platforms eliminating on-premises hardware requirements, providing immediate scalability, simplified maintenance, and geographic flexibility. Cloud phone systems include hosted PBX (Private Branch Exchange) providing advanced call features, integrated voicemail, call queuing, and recorded messages without dedicated hardware. Organisations access cloud telephony through internet connections with calls routed through cloud infrastructure, enabling staff to work from any location with appropriate connectivity. Housing associations benefit from cloud telephony through reduced infrastructure costs, simplified technical support, scalability supporting growth, and integration with cloud-based business systems. Cloud systems provide redundancy supporting business continuity and disaster recovery through automatic failover to backup systems.

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking is a modern telecommunications approach delivering voice calls through internet connections using standardised protocols, replacing traditional phone lines with virtual connections. SIP trunking provides cost savings through reduced line rental, scalability supporting unlimited simultaneous calls, flexibility supporting work-from-anywhere policies, and disaster recovery capabilities through geographic redundancy. Housing associations should use SIP trunking when consolidating multiple office locations onto single platforms, expanding to support remote working, transitioning to cloud-based communications, or reducing telecommunications infrastructure costs. Our framework suppliers provide SIP trunking through established carriers with guaranteed service levels, redundancy, and quality assurance suitable for organisations where communication reliability is critical.

Unified communications integrates multiple communication tools including voice, video, instant messaging, email, and presence information into single platforms enabling seamless communication and collaboration. Unified communications improves organisational efficiency by reducing tool switching, enables flexible working supporting remote and hybrid teams, provides enhanced customer service through omnichannel communication, and improves staff productivity through integrated workflows. Housing associations benefit from unified communications supporting dispersed teams across multiple properties, enabling consistent communication with residents through integrated channels, improving response times through presence awareness, and simplifying administration through single platform management. Our framework provides unified communications solutions as standalone services or integrated with total communications packages combining networking, security, and voice capabilities.

VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phone systems deliver voice communications over data networks rather than traditional phone lines, enabling calls through internet connections. VOIP systems provide cost savings eliminating traditional line rental, scalability adding extensions without additional lines, flexibility supporting remote working and mobile staff, advanced features including call recording and conferencing, and integration with business applications. Social housing organisations benefit from VOIP through reduced telecommunications costs, support for staff working across multiple locations, integration with housing management systems for call logging, and simplified administration managing single unified system. Our framework provides hosted VOIP solutions, cloud-based phone systems, and SIP trunking enabling organisations to choose appropriate architecture matching their requirements and existing infrastructure.

Business telecoms are telecommunications services and solutions designed for organisational use including voice, data, networking, mobile, and unified communications infrastructure. Business telecoms differ from consumer services through professional support and service level agreements, scalability supporting organizational growth, security features protecting sensitive data, integration with business systems, reliability requirements for operations, and advanced features like call recording and analytics. Social housing organisations require business-grade telecoms ensuring continuity of services supporting residents, maintaining security for tenant data, supporting remote working capabilities, and enabling integrated communication across dispersed teams and locations. Our framework provides comprehensive business telecoms solutions through six lots covering networking, voice, unified communications, mobile, digital inclusion, and IoT technologies.