Replacement of Analogue Telephony Lines

Concepts

• line telephony equipment
• edinburgh
• analogue lines
• analogue service
• analogue fixed lines
• copper analogue services
• enterprise broadband lines
• the current analogue service
• an analogue line
• all analogue services

Location

Across the City of Edinburgh

Description

The Council is awarding a contract to BT for the continued use of analogue service and their PDPL solution from 1st October 2025 until 30th September 2029 to allow this rationalisation process to complete and to undertake the procurement of the new single digital services contract.

Total Quantity or Scope

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), including copper analogue services currently provided by Openreach, is ceasing. All PSTN services are required to transition to a digital solution before Openreach ceases all analogue provision (presently scheduled for January 2027, although exchanges will close before that date). Throughout the City of Edinburgh Council (the Council) estate, the current analogue service is to be provided for as long as possible, whilst the Council identifies lines required and solutions for a future upgrade to a digital service. The Council intend to novate analogue fixed lines from O2 and Enterprise Broadband lines from CGI, so all analogue services are with a single provider, in preparation for entering the market for a full digital solution. To ensure services continue to be provided to the circa 1,500 lines which support telephones, lifts, alarms, traffic lights and other infrastructure currently on an analogue line, we require BT to continue to support, whilst the Council identify which lines require transition to which digital solution, and we cease analogue lines where no longer in use or required. The Council will also be adopting Pre-Digital Phone Lines (PDPL) for some lines until the transition of the estate equipment, so it can accept a digital solution.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 51340000 - Installation services of line telephony equipment

Indicators

Legal Justification

PSTN Analogue services can no longer be procured. To ensure services continue to be provided to the circa 1,500 lines which support telephones, lifts, alarms, traffic lights and other infrastructure currently on an analogue line, we require BT to continue to support, whilst the Council identify which lines require transition to which digital solution, and we cease analogue lines where no longer in use or required. BT are unique in offering Pre-Digital Phone Line (PDPL), which gives a period allowing the Council to identify lines and their use, many of which were installed decades ago and are difficult to quickly identify usage and requirements. The Council is undertaking a full audit, which will allow only the transition of those lines we correctly identify as in use and needed. For these reasons, there are no financially, administratively reasonable or viable alternatives available. Once the Council has consolidated all lines into a single contract, it intends to enter the market for a full digital solution by the expiry of this VEAT.

Other Information

Contract will run from 1st October 2025 until 30th September 2029. Contract with British Telecommunications PLC is subject to agreeing terms. NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=808807. (SC Ref:808807)