NZ$14 million (US$9.8 million) has been allocated to set-up the new inter-agency government network, which will be overseen by the State Services Commission (SSC). According SSC studies some government agencies have been found to be paying double the amount for connectivity as other agencies. The Government Shared Network will cut communications costs, particularly for smaller government agencies, and reduce spending on toll calls.
Agencies will also be able to back up their computer files over the network to computer storage facilities maintained offsite. The network will consist of a fibre optic network linking agencies in Wellington and a wide area network that will reach out to their branch offices nationwide.
The funding approved by Cabinet will cover the costs of setting up a body to oversee the creation of the network and manage it, as well as the cost of putting in place some of the initial infrastructure, such as systems needed to ensure the network is secure.
The operational costs of the network will be paid for by participating agencies out of their existing baseline funding. Participation will be voluntary but core government departments will be required to at least evaluate using the network when their existing network supply contracts come up for renewal.
The SSC has invited telcos to express interest in supplying the network infrastructure. It expects to pick suppliers by December and says the Wellington fibre optic network should be fully operational by July 2006.
Quelle: Public Sector Technology & Management, 06.09.2005
