National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS) 3

National Highways has its own dedicated telecommunications infrastructure known as the National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS). It is predominantly an optical fibre network running along the Strategic Road Network (SRN). NRTS is National Highways' "one-stop-shop" service for the provision of all roadside telecommunications and connectivity needs.

To keep road users safe and to make sure traffic flows smoothly, National Highways rely on some 38,000 roadside devices such as CCTV, Stopped Vehicle Detection (SVD), Variable Message Signs (VMS), Signals and Emergency Roadside Telephones (ERTs). NRTS is the network that helps all these devices talk to each other and to the systems which are used to manage the SRN from within regional and national operating centres.

This service underpins and ensures the safe, secure and sustainable management and operation of the SRN. It provides the enabling technology and functionality to deliver the National Highways Delivery Plan and our commitments to deliver the objectives of the Roads Investment Strategy (RIS). Consequently, the NRTS3 project will provide capability to deliver the strategic objectives of National Highways through to at least the end of the RIS4 period in 2035.

Without NRTS National Highways roadside operational technology would become inoperable. Without NRTS, operations staff would be without CCTV and critical performance data upon which strategic operational decisions are based and would not have the capability to set signs and signals to inform and influence road user's behaviours and choices.

National Highways roadside devices and technology (signs, signals etc.) and the technology and systems within Regional Operations Centres (ROCs) and National Traffic Operations Centre (NTOC) that control the roadside devices, are not part of NRTS.

The operation of almost all roadside devices on the Strategic Road Network and connectivity to and between operations centres is provided by NRTS.

This opportunity relates to the provision, operation and maintenance of telecommunications services between the roadside technology and various central locations operated by and on behalf of National Highways, the body responsible for England's SRN. Additionally, it may be necessary to further develop and enhance services and solutions to meet the changing requirements of National Highways operational roadside technology, and to undertake a programme of renewal to address active network components which will become obsolete during the course of the contract, and which may no longer be supportable.

These services are currently provided by Telent Technology Services Limited through an outsourced agreement (NRTS2) which expires in March 2028. The NRTS3 contract will need to be both procured and mobilised at least six months prior to this date to ensure a period of smooth transition between Telent Technology Services Ltd and the NRTS3 Service Provider.

The scope of the NRTS3 services will be a continuation of the existing NRTS2 services including the operation and maintenance of the network, and delivery of connectivity services to schemes.

The NRTS3 Service Provider will be required to develop a sustainable, affordable and cost-effective NRTS equipment renewal strategy with a focus on critical obsolescence management to ensure the current suite of services are adequately supported. Renewal of some legacy equipment will be required early in the NRTS3 contract. National Highways will continue to utilise legacy roadside operational technology throughout the period of theNRTS3 contract. NRTS3 is therefore required to continue to support the existing connectivity to these roadside devices. (including RS485 and "plain old telephone service" (POTS) dependent upon legacy copper-based technologies). The NRTS3 Service Provider shall also be responsible for the development of a replacement hardware device referred to as an Internet Protocol Translator (IPT) which provides translation to/from the IP/RS485-based protocol currently used by a substantial proportion of roadside technology.

The existing National Highways analogue CCTV estate is expected to be upgraded to digital by 2030. The NRTS3 Service Provider may be required to support National Highways with the upgrade of a proportion of the analogue CCTV cameras (roadside end devices) as a part of this programme of works. This would be an additional task to the delivery of the NRTS programme. The role which the NRTS3 Service Provider may undertake shall be limited to the installation and commissioning of free-issue equipment to be procured by National Highways.

Additionally, Tenderers will be required to provide a price for the optional Corporate Network Services to deliver and maintain the connectivity to and within National Highways offices and other central locations. This service shall require no systems level integration with the roads telecommunications services. A decision on its inclusion shall be taken by National Highways during the pre-contract period.