How Freshwave is using CCS agreements to improve mobile connectivity in the public sector

Freshwave is a London-based small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) that supports public sector digital transformation through better connectivity. They provide neutral host services and essential connectivity solutions.

Through our Network Services 3 agreement, they have increased their visibility and secured significant public sector contracts. This article explores the benefits they experienced working with us, and the impact their work has had on local communities.

Improving mobile connectivity for the public sector

Consistent and reliable wireless mobile connectivity is an important consideration for most public services. Good connection allows the public sector to create infrastructure fit for the digital age.

However, maintaining consistent mobile coverage is a challenge in many public buildings, leaving people in them reliant on Wi-Fi connections and struggling to access mobile data services. One solution to this problem is using a neutral host provider, like Freshwave.

A neutral host service provides a single source for high-quality, consistent mobile phone signals inside a building. This source can be shared by different network operators including EE, Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneThree, who approve the design and operation of the system.

This network set-up means:

• everyone in the building can get good mobile phone coverage, no matter which network they use
• there is an essential backup if the Wi-Fi connectivity is lost
• places like government offices, hospitals, schools and event spaces, can access reliable connection for crucial day-to-day activities

How Freshwave used our agreements to supply to the public sector

Simon Frumkin, CEO of Freshwave, explains the process of becoming a CCS supplier on the Network Services 3 agreement and how Freshwave were able to help Ulster University solve its connectivity problems.

The problem

As an SME, we have traditionally relied on avenues such as collective bids and working as a subcontractor to access bigger public sector contracts and opportunities. These arrangements can have their downsides though, like not being able to operate on our terms as we would like, and more complicated processes to issue invoices and raise purchase orders adding to our administrative burden.

In 2020, we were approached by a new-build hospital in South Wales about bringing all-operator mobile connectivity into the development. Because of the pandemic they wanted to open the hospital six months early, and we achieved this by working closely with them and the mobile network operators.

To enable us to work more easily with other public sector organisations who need multi-operator indoor mobile signal, we decided to explore a new approach to simplify our work. We also wanted to have direct ownership of our relationships with our customers.

The approach

We decided to submit an application to become a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) Network Services 3 agreement. As an SME that historically had a very small footprint in the public sector, this commitment posed some new challenges for us in terms of resource and capability.

Regular engagement with CCS helped make the process achievable for us. We took advantage of CCS’s extensive supplier engagement process.

They helped us by:

• letting us understand what we needed to do and by when
• guiding us through the process by demonstrating the importance of achieving credentials like Cyber Essentials Certification and having a robust Carbon Reduction Plan in place
• helping us understand the additional value we would gain from investing in industry standards like ISO accreditations

CCS’s supplier criteria requirements also helped us to make improvements within our organisation. For example, we had to develop streamlined, repeatable sets of processes to provide solid evidence about aspects of our business such as cyber security, environmental work and social value. These new processes ultimately improved our own ways of working.

The outcome

After a quick and easy application process we achieved supplier status on two Lots of the agreement:

• Lot 1a (Inter Site Connectivity (Wider Area Network) / Data Access Services)
• Lot 2a (Intra Site Connectivity (Local Area Network) / Local Connectivity Services)

Since achieving supplier status, we’re delighted to have been awarded contracts to bring all-operator connectivity to several NHS hospitals, as well as other public sector buildings.

Becoming a supplier on a CCS agreement has:

• given us a clear and transparent mechanism to engage with customers and bid for public sector contracts
• allowed contracts to move from award to signature with greater speed, enabling work on these contracts to begin in a timelier way
• significantly reduced the resource burden on us as an SME supplier, such as by providing a more efficient contracting process and through standard terms and conditions under Network Services 3

Using Crown Commercial Service’s market knowledge and commercial expertise to improve our service

We also tapped into CCS’s expertise in the mobile connectivity market. The Network Services category team supported us with answering queries from potential customers around what we offered and making sure it was the right fit for them.

Refining our service description for the agreement helped us produce a better-defined proposition and positioning of our services. Compliance and transparency are at the foundation which results in an improved offering for public sector buyers.

Watch the video about Freshwave’s journey as a CCS supplier.

How Freshwave improved mobile connectivity for Ulster University and the local community

Ulster University’s new Belfast campus is both an educational facility and a public building serving the wider Belfast community. The campus hosts many public events, ranging from small events to university open days, which are attended by thousands of potential students and their families.

Two blocks of buildings on the campus were purpose-built to high environmental standards. However, this meant mobile signal in these blocks was limited, leading to poor 4G and 5G signals and connectivity issues for staff and visitors.

Whilst there is public Wi-Fi throughout the campus, they needed a way to get visitors and staff a better mobile network connection. Not every visitor wants to connect to a public network, and there needed to be a backup in case of Wi-Fi problems or outages.

As a CCS supplier on the Network Services 3 agreement, Freshwave were awarded the contract in March 2024.

They now provide the campus with a solution to its connectivity problem. Freshwave installed the new in-building service and continues to fully monitor the entire system remotely day-to-day.

All visitors can now connect their mobile devices to any mobile network with high quality 4G connectivity.

Donna O’Kane, Unified Communications Manager at Ulster University, said:

The University is pleased to have selected Freshwave through the Network Services 3 framework. The system designed and implemented by Freshwave brings mobile connectivity from all the UK network operators into our new campus buildings. 

The project has been a great success with coverage throughout the blocks enabling staff to make and receive calls and texts without having to leave the buildings or find small pockets of signal by the window. Everyone working, visiting, or studying in the new blocks at the University can now stay connected.

Find out more about becoming a supplier

• learn more about how to supply through our agreements
• discover 5 key steps for becoming a CCS supplier

If you’re a public sector organisation looking to improve mobile network connectivity, learn more about our Network Services 3 agreement.