Dorset Council has launched a preliminary market consultation for a £300m digital infrastructure project designed to generate long-term revenue through co-investment in new ducting and dark fibre networks.
The council has invited expressions of interest from potential investors, delivery partners, operators, wholesalers and major customers to support the proposal, which will cover the operation and maintenance of a wholesale open access backhaul network across the county.
A procurement notice published on 25 April said the project could deliver revenues of between £90m and £300m over 30 years, although these estimates are yet to be fully verified. Interested parties have until 17 May to engage through the Supplying the South West portal.
Under the plan, private partners would be expected to fund, design and construct the network, manage commercial access to both passive and active connectivity services, and oversee any future network extensions.
The project is intended to bolster Dorset’s digital infrastructure by providing wholesale fibre access to third parties. Dorset Council said revenues would be based on current and future demand projections but warned that all values were provisional pending further development of the business case.
The council said Hubbub Group Ltd had been appointed to advise during the market engagement exercise and would participate in follow-up discussions with interested parties. A questionnaire will be issued to participants to capture feedback before decisions are made on any formal procurement process.
Dorset Council reserves the right not to proceed with procurement and stressed that participation in the engagement exercise would not influence assessment during any future tender process.
The estimated contract period would run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2057. Services covered under the contract would include network infrastructure, communications infrastructure, and maintenance services, according to the contract notice.
Parties registering interest must submit any clarification queries by 13 May.
Source: Gov.uk Find a Tender