Mission-critical infrastructure specialist Telent has been appointed by National Highways to operate and maintain its Corporate Wide Area Network (WAN), enabling collaboration and digital security across the company’s facilities.

As well as providing the WiFi infrastructure for all National Highways staff, the Corporate Network Service connects and supports crucial operational systems across over 130 National Highways sites, including regional operations centres, satellite offices, and depots.

Telent will help to ensure greater collaboration between these strategic sites by providing a secure, robust, and flexible network, with maximum network availability – critical in connecting those people who keep traffic on the UK’s motorways and A-roads flowing safely.

Telent will additionally be providing enhanced network security monitoring, enabling National Highways to better secure its large volumes of data and applications.

Nigel Weldon, Highways Business Development Director at Telent, said: “We are proud to have secured the opportunity to work with National Highways on this critical project, ensuring that its corporate network remains secure, resilient, and capable of supporting operations across its network of sites. The road networks are the backbone of this country with countless people and businesses relying on them every day, so it’s vital that governing bodies such as National Highways have the resilient IT infrastructure needed to ensure our roads are flowing freely and safely.”

The appointment reflects Telent’s expertise in critical national infrastructure, and the company’s ongoing work with National Highways to transform and operate the National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS). Telent’s network solution will integrate with National Highways’ existing Information Technology and Operational Technology systems, and aligns with their overall digital strategy particularly regarding connectivity, hosting, and platform strategies.

Craig Bromage, Head of Infrastructure and Platforms for National Highways said: “We chose Telent to manage our Corporate Network Services following a successful competitive tender process. As one of our strategic suppliers in Digital Services, I am excited to be working with Telent on this key area of our connectivity strategy.”

The contract was secured through Telent’s place on the Information Technology Commercial Framework (ITCF), a key procurement mechanism for National Highways which supports ongoing technological advancements.