By Andy McCue, 9 August 2004 17:10
NEWS MPs are set to get a wireless network to give them access to emails and parliamentary systems via their PDAs, mobile phones and laptops.
The UK Parliament has put out a contract notice looking for a wireless communication solution that will interface with the parliamentary network infrastructure, including Microsoft Exchange allowing connectivity over a mobile carrier network and handheld devices.
Suppliers have until the end of September to express an interest in the project and the House of Commons expects to invite tenders during October.
The scope of the contract, however, is still unclear. Sheila Paterson, procurement manager at the House of Commons, said the contract notice is intended to explore what is available in the marketplace.
"We are hoping to see what is available and we are very much in the hands of the contractors," she said.
Paterson said it is still undecided whether it will simply be a wireless LAN for the House of Commons that will give MPs wireless access to emails and databases from their PDAs and laptops around the Commons buildings, or a network that will give MPs secure remote wireless access while they are on their travels or back in their constituencies.
She said security will also be a top priority. "Clearly we are not going to pick something that will leave us vulnerable," she said.
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