Capita awarded four-year radio framework with MPS

Capita Secure Information Solutions has entered into a four-year framework agreement with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for the supply, delivery and support of radio managed services and peripherals for use under the Airwave radio service.

The multi-supplier framework, which has an estimated value of up to £160 million, is open for use by public sector bodies using the Airwave service via the Bluelight portal.

The framework allows customers to benefit from the convenience, choice and value-for-money derived from purchasing goods and services through a single, pre-competed national framework.

Chief executive officer Craig Rodgerson said Capita was delighted to be able to offer a new, affordable and comprehensive range of radio managed services through the new framework.

“Our regional shared service model means that even much smaller organisations on tight budgets can now take advantage of our services, which are tailor-made to meet each individual customer’s specific requirements.”

•The Airwave Network has won the award for Best Use of TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) for Public Safety at the inaugural International TETRA Awards 2012 held at London’s Savoy Hotel.

Sponsored by Motorola, the award recognised Airwave as “standing apart for its pioneering work in advancing the cause of TETRA”.

Covering 99 per cent of the UK, the network is highly secure, capacity is dynamically optimised to meet user needs and, if required, users can communicate and collaborate on talk groups with colleagues from different services.

Richard Bobbett, CEO of Airwave, said: “Airwave is widely respected in the industry for its performance, products and services. The network is in use every day by over 250 agencies, which include all of Great Britain’s emergency services and a range of public service organisations.”