Suffolk County Council has rolled out a next generation network, which it expects will cut costs by up to 30%.
The high speed, next generation network (NGN) will provide connectivity to over 300 schools and 300 council premises and will run over super high speed fibre-optic connections to approximately 50 locations across Suffolk, providing 10Mbs to 100Mbs to the county's schools, libraries and other council offices.
Mark Adams Wright, CIO at Suffolk County Council said the network will help Suffolk build its Public Services Network. He said the network would help the council move forward with its ICT strategy.
"Inevitably we'll be doing more cloud, run mobile app service, and looking actively at testing options to move desktop into the cloud.
"We are modernising telephone systems, looking at voice over IP, and a new website. We're also investing in business intelligence solutions as we recognise effective decision making will be critical," he said.
Some 80,000 Suffolk children will benefit from the reliable network service supplied to their schools via the NGN.
Ian Price, network manager at Bury St. Edmunds County Upper School said: "I have far fewer support calls to deal with, which means I can spend more time on improving the IT service for both staff and pupils. It's a great asset, not only for the school but also for the county as a whole.
