VAR trio lock horns over Unicorn deal

BT, KCom and Logicalis shortlisted for seven-year shared public sector network contract

BT, KCOM Group and Logicalis are battling it out for the rights to provide Surrey and Berkshire with a shared public sector network.

The trio has been shortlisted to provide a single communications network – dubbed Unicorn [unified community over regional network] – to more than 20 public services in the two counties that promises to save millions of pounds.

The contract is set to last for seven years, with the possibility of a five-year extension, and the winner named in August.

The solution, which will replace the 40 separate networks Surrey and Berkshire public services currently run, will include cloud computing technology, landline and mobile telephony and teleconferencing.

Denise Le Gal, Surrey's cabinet member for change and efficiency, said embracing cloud is the latest example of the council's willingness to embrace new ideas.

"We firmly believe the public sector should be seen as a single team co-operating to save taxpayers money wherever possible and this network could cut millions of pounds from IT operating costs and telephone bills and provide even better services," she added.