By Oliver Walter, Business Development Director, Public Sector & Defence, Wifinity
In my role I spend a lot of time speaking with decision-makers at local authorities across the UK. If one thing is common across the sector, it’s the huge budgetary pressure. As a supplier on the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Network Services 3 framework, it’s apt that we frame how we can support public sector digital transformation in the UK. The framework is designed to simplify and standardise the procurement of cloud services, allowing public sector organisations to procure pre-approved Wifinity services.
With tight resources and increasing demands for public services, local governments are expected to deliver essential services, like street cleaning, providing housing and adult social care. On the other hand, they need to modernise operations to support services that residents and businesses expect. This isn’t easy an easy ask when tight finances limit the basics.
But there is good news. With a smart infrastructure and digital tools, local authorities can transform the way they run and protect services and engage residents. A strong digital network will create efficiencies, unlock new revenue streams and improve service delivery, reducing long-term costs.
What is Essential Digital Transformation for Local Authorities?
Even if residents aren’t proactively demanding digitised solutions, with our lives moving online, they do expect seamless, efficient public services. By making services more accessible and efficient, the transformation will improve citizen satisfaction, streamline internal processes and free up resources.
Using the example of smart cities, while “fully integrated smart cities” are the future, the journey starts with putting the right infrastructure in place today. Local authorities that invest in robust digital backbone can offer next-generation services like smart traffic management, IoT-enabled waste collection and real-time data analytics to check public spaces.
These efficiencies enhance public services – and deliver significant cost savings by stretching limited resources, replacing manual tasks and energy consumption.
Wifinity’s Role in Supporting Local Authorities
Wifinity specialises in fully managed internet services, high-quality wireless infrastructure and digital solutions. As a partner to large UK public sector organisations, we offer secure and scalable managed public WiFi through complex guest and corporate networks.
Our work with councils shows how a well-thought-out digital strategy can drive improvements. Our next-generation public and corporate WiFi, WAN and LAN solutions connect public services and offer the security and flexibility that modern councils need. In partnership with Ruckus, Fortinet and Cambium Networks, we can also deliver robust, AI-powered network solutions.
Councils can also tap into advanced data and insights for better decision-making. For example, our wireless networks can provide real-time data on how and when public spaces are used. By knowing exactly when your public spaces see the most traffic or how residents access council services online, this presence data can support planning and service optimisation to guide future investments and resource allocation.
We were recognised a finalist in the 2024 Connected Britain Full Fibre ISP Innovation Award, a finalist in this year’s ISPAs Digital Inclusion award and the 2024 Glotel Connecting the Unconnected award for our delivery of projects that connect hard to reach communities or places where other managed services providers won’t.
Take Steps Toward Local Authority Digital Transformation
An everything-integrated public services may seem a long way away when budgets at painfully tight. But a technology core that connects people, services and infrastructure, is possible, and will drive major projects, like smart cities, forward.
Wifinity provides the high-performance infrastructure that makes these solutions possible. We design secure networks with both the council and residents in mind that allow new technologies to be seamlessly integrated as they appear.
Consider some practical examples: IoT-enabled traffic systems to reduce congestion and improve road safety need a reliable network foundation. Smart lighting systems that adjust on real-time conditions and reduce energy consumption also need a supporting network. IoT sensors tell waste management teams when bins are full and inform more efficient collection routes also need a network. These are just a few of the ways that smart infrastructure will transform councils’ operations and save money.
Secure Access to Cloud Services
There are often security concerns about cloud and hybrid work environments. With more local authority employees working remotely, digital infrastructures must support secure, scalable access to cloud services and sensitive data.
Wifinity’s networks are built using industry-compliant security features, including support for Zero Trust architectures. This approach ensures that every device and user is verified before accessing your network, regardless of where they are working from. Our cloud-based management platform gives council IT teams centralised control to monitor and secure the network across multiple locations – including home workers.
With ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications, our networks can be trusted to protect your data.
Supporting Service Development
Digital transformation is also about driving economic development and managing assets more effectively. Wifinity has been helping councils to realise new opportunities like offering enhanced resident services with connectivity to new social housing developments or integrating IoT devices for asset management to better manage their resources.
Using tools like our WiFi captive portal management software, councils can transform their public WiFi services into public service portals, with links to council tax, parking fine payment and public information. Advertising can also be sold to third parties, combining a better user experience for residents and new revenue streams to fund other council initiatives.
Unlocking Your Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is fundamentally about changing the way local authorities operate to better serve residents and local businesses. By building the right digital infrastructure today, councils can create smarter, more efficient services that evolve as their community does.
Wifinity is committed to helping local authorities unlock these opportunities and we’re ready to prepare your council is ready for the future.
To start the conversation, contact oliver.walter@wifinity.co.uk