Idaq Networks has been providing high speed broadband services to businesses in Sheffield and Rotherham since 2013. The services are delivered using Wireless technology called Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), conventional underground copper and fibre cables are not required.

We helped Idaq Networks draft their submission that resulted in a 10 year deal with Sheffield City Council to provide free Wi-Fi internet access in the outdoor areas of Sheffield City Centre and a number of public buildings. The service is to be rolled out during 2018/19 and will be available to City Centre residents, businesses and visitors. Idaq Networks intends to create one of the best public access Wi-Fi service in the country with blanket coverage within the City ring road. The network will be available throughout the City Centre with speeds up to 20Mb/sec.

Our first task was to identify the added value and the many benefits that could be realised from the service (business, social and smart city benefits). We helped the team articulate the technical requirements, resilience measures, customer experience and performance metrics. We set out their experience, the proposed coverage and tiered service offer. We also needed to work through the health and safety and security and customer service standards. Other features of the bid included a roll out plan and plans for network exploitation by businesses and others.

Once the bid was shortlisted we helped Idaq respond to comments from the appraisal process in advance of their presentation.

“Everyone at Idaq Networks is very excited to be involved in this project. We are a local company and we have already invested heavily in Sheffield developing a commercial network providing high speed internet access to local businesses. This project will enable us to bring free internet access to everyone living in, working in and visiting the City centre in a very short period of time. The project will also allow us to help the Universities, innovative individuals and business start-ups with the development of new technologies and products” Mark Roebuck, Director of IDAQ Networks Ltd. December 2017