GM One Network

Briefly describe the initiative/ project/service; please include your aims and objectives 

The GM One Network is a 10-year collaboration between GMCA, TfGM, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Stockport Councils to build a single high-speed, low latency, resilient connectivity and network services across the Greater Manchester region. The programme leverages Greater Manchester Public Sector economies of scale to provide access to technology services that can enable the provision of improved Public Sector services:

– Reduces cost through economises scale, and removing duplication
– Common standards enabling much simpler collaboration across Public Sector Authorities
– Improved supplier engagement and ability to improve discounts and shape offerings and capabilities
– Significant Social Value targeted at GM priorities
– Builds on the GM Local Full Fibre Network which leveraged £21.3M of DCMS investment and GM organisations top-up to move GM from 2% full fibre coverage up to 25% and connects circa 1500 sites across 7 of the 10 LAs plus GMCA and TfGM 

What are the key achievements? 

GM One Network is another example of the region making significant progress in our ambition to have world class digital infrastructure, having already rolled out the Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) Programme, which connected more than 1,500 public sites across the city-region making. Whilst the LFFN programme is laying the foundations for a network of world class infrastructure, each of the organisations involved needs to consider how best to make use of that investment. 

GM One Network demonstrates the value of close collaboration between GMCA, Greater Manchester’s local authorities, Fire & Rescue Services and Transport for Greater Manchester and subsequently those partners agreed to investigate the potential benefits of further collaboration to utilising a network without bandwidth limitations. 

The first phase is now complete, this included building the core network and migrating circa 1200 sites from 6 legacy networks/contracts to the GM One Network. 

As part of the GM One Network Programme, our partners have made a number of bold investments in social value initiatives to support Greater Manchester’s Digital Blueprint, at the end of 2024 this is includes; 

– Free connectivity has started to be installed at community sites across Greater Manchester, along with skills and tech support. Smallbridge in Rochdale was one of those sites selected to receive this digital support (external website) due to its involvement in the Ageing In Place Pathfinder – a GMCA-led programme working to ensure that the voices of people in mid and later life are heard and valued in the places that they live. Smallbridge is one of nine Pathfinder neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester that will benefit from locally created action plans designed to improve older residents’ quality of life. 

– 15 apprenticeships are now in place across the region as part of the programme, via partners Cisco and Telent. The apprenticeships cover a range of technical roles, including engineering, marketing and project specialists. 

– Cisco experienced a record number of applications for this year’s regional work experience programme, giving students a glimpse inside the various areas of the tech company including sales, marketing, cybersecurity and networking. Students from 23 schools across the region applied to take part, with 70 students being taken on during the first year of the project, and another 25 ready to start next week. They will develop soft skills such as team working, time management and communication. Students will also work on a team Dragons Den project throughout the week, and on the final day they will present their idea to the Cisco Dragons. 

– 2,225 hours of volunteering hours have been invested into the communities of Greater Manchester, running IntoUniversity workshops, Foodtruck runs with Fareshare, and schools career events. 

– A T-Level industry placement programme is currently being hosted in Greater Manchester. There are four GM students participating in the first year of the programme which kicked off in January 2024. The six weeks programme aims to give ten students each year insight into the tech industry. 

– Creation of the GMOne Link Program. The purpose of this programme is to create significant social value in the areas of Health and Climate Tech through demonstrating innovative products, services, and applications. Strategically leveraging the GM One network, the programme is dedicated to incubating startups and SMEs that align with the areas of focus and objectives of Greater Manchester. The GMOne Link Program has already completed stages 1 and 2, providing funding and support to 10 amazing SME’s and Startups. Stage 3 kicks off early in the new year. 

How Innovative is your initiative? 

The GM One Network is innovative in several ways, pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo by leveraging creative approaches and solutions to address existing problems. Here are some aspects that highlight its innovation: 

Creative Approaches and Solutions

1 – Integrated Digital Infrastructure: The GM One Network focuses on building a unified digital infrastructure that connects various public services across Greater Manchester. By integrating multiple networks into a single system, ensuring seamless connectivity and data sharing, enhancing service efficiency and responsiveness.

2 – Community-Centric Development: The project prioritizes community needs, involving residents and local organisations in the design and implementation process. This participatory approach ensures that the solutions are tailored to the unique needs of each community, fostering greater engagement and ownership.

3 – Data-Driven Decision Making: By facilitating real-time data access and analytics, the GM One Network empowers local authorities to make informed decisions. This data-driven approach helps identify and address issues more effectively, leading to improved public services and resource allocation. 

Pushing Boundaries and Challenging the Status Quo

1 – Breaking Down Silos: Traditionally, public services have operated in silos, leading to inefficiencies and communication gaps. The GM One Network breaks down these barriers, encouraging collaboration and information sharing across different departments and agencies.

2 – Adopting Cutting-Edge Technologies: The project leverages advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and 5G to enhance connectivity and service delivery. These technologies enable innovative solutions like smart city applications, predictive analytics, and remote service provision, setting a new standard for public services.

3 – Fostering a Culture of Innovation: By promoting a culture of experimentation and risk-taking, the GM One Network encourages public sector organizations to explore new ideas and approaches. This shift in mindset helps drive continuous improvement and adaptation in response to evolving community needs. 

Taking Risks and Doing Something New

1 – Pilot Programs: The GM One Network often starts with pilot programs to test and refine new concepts before wider implementation. This approach allows for iterative learning and minimizes risks while ensuring that innovative solutions are practical and effective.

2 – Collaboration with Private Sector and Academia: The project involves partnerships with private tech companies, bringing in external expertise and research. This collaboration enhances the project’s capability to innovate and stay at the forefront of technological advancements.

3 – Emphasizing Digital Inclusion: By addressing digital divides and ensuring that all residents have access to digital services, the GM One Network promotes inclusivity. Initiatives like providing free Wi-Fi in public spaces and digital literacy programs help bridge the gap, ensuring that no one is left behind. 

In summary, the GM One Network exemplifies innovation through its creative solutions, boundary-pushing approaches, and willingness to take risks and adopt new technologies. It sets a new benchmark for public service delivery, driving Greater Manchester towards becoming a world-leading digital city region. 

What are the key learning points? 

The lessons learned from the GMOne Network initiative can be valuable for others looking to undertake similar projects. Here are some key leaning points: 

Addressing Technical Challenges: The initiative faced technical challenges during the specification and design of cutting-edge software-defined regional WAN infrastructure. By developing strategies and solutions to overcome these challenges, others can apply these learnings to similar technical projects. 

Financial Planning and Partner Funding: The large-scale financial investment required for the GMOne Network was entirely funded via partner funding with no external grant or central government financial support. This demonstrates the importance of strategic financial planning and the potential for partner funding in large projects. 

Organisational Collaboration: Bringing together multiple partners to deliver complex infrastructure over a period of years required strong relationships, partnership working, and trust. This model of organizational collaboration can be replicated in other regions or locations seeking to build shared infrastructure as a service. 

Replicability and Scalability: The GMOne Network was built to scale out, allowing many more partner organizations to connect. It is also foundational infrastructure, built to scale up with digital services layered on top to provide high-quality, lower-cost services for all partners. This model can be replicated in other regions seeking to build shared digital infrastructure.