Government Shared Network deployment confirmed

Government Shared Network deployment confirmed

A purpose-built platform for collaboration between State Services organisations moved closer today with the confirmation by the State Services Commission (SSC) of the deployment of the Government Shared Network (GSN) initiative.

The announcement means that the network has received strategic and financial go-ahead, reflecting the increased demand from the State Services for a high speed, secure, nationwide Telecommunications network infrastructure built for government, which the GSN provides.

Laurence Millar, SSC's Deputy Commissioner Information and Communication Technologies, said this is a significant milestone in the deployment of what is essentially an ‘internet for government’. “The GSN will provide a secure, controlled access network community within which government agencies can collaborate to better serve the needs of New Zealanders.”

Government agency support for the GSN continues to grow. Deployment of the core infrastructure has commenced. Detailed transition planning with seven of the seventeen agencies intending to adopt GSN products during the first year of operation is also progressing.

SSC also announced today the signing of the Service Manager and initial infrastructure provider contracts for the Government Shared Network (GSN).

The finalisation of the GSN Service Manager contract with IBM New Zealand Limited means that IBM is contracted as the supplier of network management and service delivery for the Government Shared Network.

Contracts have also been signed with the infrastructure providers that will supply the initial components of the GSN. These providers are: IBM New Zealand Limited, FX Networks Limited, Asnet Limited, Datacom Systems (Wellington) Limited, Kaon Technologies, DTS and Revera (formerly HdS New Zealand).

Contracts are still being finalised with the following infrastructure providers: BCL (Broadcast Communications Limited) and CityLink.

The network is planned to go-live for agencies later this year.

ENDS

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