UK Police Extend £25M Contract for Legacy Communication System Amid Delays

Severity: Low (Score: 24.9)

Sources: Theregister, www.find-tender.service.gov.uk

Summary

UK police have awarded a £25 million no-competition contract to Motorola to maintain the legacy Airwave communication system, which relies on Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) technology first commissioned in 2000. This contract extension is necessary as the replacement project for the Emergency Services Network (ESN) is 12 years behind schedule and £3 billion over budget, with an expected launch date now set for 2029. The Police Digital Service issued a notice stating that the extension will ensure public safety agencies remain operational while the ESN is developed. The original contract began in January 2023 and was valued at £50 million for four years. The National Audit Office reported that supporting the Airwave system while developing the ESN has cost £11 billion over ten years. Motorola's involvement has raised concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest, leading to scrutiny from the Competition and Markets Authority. The extension is intended to bridge the gap until a new procurement framework is available in February 2027. However, there are contingencies in place for potential delays in this new framework. Key Points: • UK police awarded a £25 million no-bid contract to Motorola for legacy communication systems. • The replacement project for the Airwave system is 12 years behind schedule and £3 billion over budget. • The Emergency Services Network is now expected to launch in 2029, delaying operational upgrades.

Key Entities

• Government (industry)