End to End Secure Quadruple Play Communications Solution

The NZ Ministry of Economic Development has given notice it is intending to issue a Request for Proposal for the "Provision of End to End Secure Quadruple Play Communications Solution (Voice, Video, Data Mobile with security)". The wording of the announcement is worryingly loose and sounds like it was cobbled together from some vendor brochures. As an example a single service is "likely to encompass ... probably security perimeter ... possibility of datacentre consolidation... Probably VoIP telephony ...". The ministry is also asking for: single number for staff, a one user – one device voice model, mobile device deployment and management for secure mobile communications, GPS integrated mobile devices with mobile mapping and locating, Data Centre acceleration (whatever that is):

"The Ministry of Economic Development is giving advance notice to suppliers of its intention to release a Request for Proposal for the Provision of End to End Secure Quadruple Play Communications Solution (Voice, Video, Data Mobile with security).

The scope of this procurement is to select a single contracted service provider to work in partnership with the Ministry for the provision of Network Services. The Ministry expects to have a prime vendor arrangement with the Vendor taking responsibility for all aspects of the requested service.

Such a single service is likely to encompass the following areas:

· End to End fixed and mobile communications inclusive of data, video, fixed voice, mobile voice, internet and probably security perimeter

· The possibility of datacentre consolidation

· End-to-end monitoring via defined back to back commercial interfaces with the Ministry’s infrastructure suppliers

· Probably VoIP telephony both internally, call centre and externally prepared for the next level of innovation

· Specific fibre solutions for disk mirroring and/or replication to support DR

· Innovation consisting of, but not limited to :

o Single number for staff
o A one user – one device voice model
o Mobile device deployment and management for secure mobile communications
o GPS integrated mobile devices – mobile mapping and locating
o Data Centre acceleration
o WAN acceleration
o CTI for the call centres
o Authentication
o Security

Call and Data routing utilises the most appropriate least cost path (eg on-net, off-net, internet – via wifi, cellular etc) and this is transparent in service delivery and commercial arrangements..."

From: Provision of End to End Secure Quadruple Play Communications Solution (Voice, Video, Data Mobile with security), NZ Ministry of Economic Development, GETS Reference: 27573, 9 October 2009