ITS has been awarded a £3.5 million dark fibre contract as part of Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme to enhance public sector connectivity across Carmarthenshire.
The contract aligns with the programme's goal to create a smart region ready to innovate and adopt emerging technologies, ensuring an inclusive digital landscape.
This significant investment will serve 41 dark fibre connections across 34 strategic public sector sites in Carmarthenshire, connecting education, health and local authorities. The project includes key partners Carmarthenshire County Council, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Hywel Dda University Health Board and Coleg Sir Gar.
The new network will connect sites and data centres to store, move and share large quantities of data securely at ultra-high speed. This will improve the collaboration between these organisations, enabling them to use advanced technology and applications such as AI, and share and analyse data in real-time. It will also underpin innovative ways of working and enable more data-driven decision making, having the capacity to flexibly meet the evolving needs of the sectors and the delivery of modern public services.
It aims to deliver positive community impact, prioritising digital inclusion, tackling inequalities and limiting environmental impact. Digital Champions in each local authority will work with industry, government and poorly connected communities to support the delivery of the programme at a local level.
In addition to securing the contract award, ITS will invest in a wholesale full fibre network that mirrors the dark fibre route and extends beyond it to pass more than 2,800 businesses. This private investment will enable access to gigabit-capable services, significantly enhancing the area’s digital infrastructure. It will foster greater market choice, offering resilient, business-grade connectivity to both local partners and end-user organisations.
Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS, said, "We are thrilled to have been successful in this tender process which will see us play a pivotal role in transforming the area’s digital landscape. As our first public sector contract in South Wales, this is a fantastic milestone for us and one that will provide the foundation for a connected future for the region, driving innovation and prosperity for the entire community.
“ITS has a strong track record of working with the public sector to deliver connectivity solutions that benefit local businesses and communities, putting social value at the heart of each project. This type of innovation aligns perfectly with the Digital Infrastructure Programme’s objectives, providing a platform for economic growth and bridging the digital divide."
Cllr. Philip Hughes, Cabinet Member for Organisation and Workforce at Carmarthenshire County Council, said. “This announcement marks a significant advancement in equipping our public sector services to meet future demands. By aligning with the Digital Infrastructure Programme’s objectives, this project will underpin the expanding needs of digital services in our communities, which rely on having effective, secure and high-capacity infrastructure.”