The council expects the total value of the contract to be worth between £48 million and £240 million.

Under the Unified Communications over Regional Networks (UNiCORN) contract, in addition to WAN, the council is looking for a supplier to provide local area networks, IP voice services and other managed IP services.

The chosen supplier will also be expected to work with superfast broadband initiatives, to help extend the availability of broadband services throughout England.

The council

Surrey County Council is tendering on behalf of public sector bodies in the region, including local authorities, health authorities, NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs), schools and other education sites, charities, Surrey Police and Royal Berkshire Fire Authority.