Background

As an active member of the Cooperative Network Infrastructure (CNI), Tameside Council sought to evaluate and optimise the costs associated with digital infrastructure to ensure the best value for public investment. This initiative was part of Tameside’s broader commitment to fostering digital innovation and ensuring fair access to infrastructure for local businesses and communities.

CJ Founds Associates

Project Objectives

Tameside Council aimed to compare the charges from the CNI cooperative with those of market-available products, such as duct rentals versus Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA). This comparison was critical to ensuring that the council and its partners were achieving cost efficiencies and maximizing the value derived from their membership in the CNI.

Scope of Work

CJ Founds Associates supported Tameside Council in undertaking a comprehensive benchmarking exercise, which included:

  • Infrastructure Review: A detailed analysis of duct rental charges, data center (DC) rack space, and points of presence within the CNI network.
  • Market Comparison: Development of comparators and benchmarks against publicly available market data to provide a clear understanding of how CNI’s offerings aligned with or exceeded industry standards.
  • Transparent Reporting: The findings from this benchmarking exercise were made publicly available, ensuring transparency and enabling informed decision-making by Tameside Council and other stakeholders.

Outcomes

The benchmarking exercise delivered:

  • Cost Transparency: A clear understanding of how CNI charges compare to market rates, ensuring fair pricing for public sector investments.
  • Optimized Infrastructure Use: Insights into DC rack space and points of presence, enabling better utilization of existing resources.
  • Informed Decision-Making: Publicly available benchmarks that support evidence-based planning and procurement.

Tameside Council’s proactive approach to benchmarking and collaboration with CNI exemplifies how local authorities can drive value through strategic partnerships, ensuring that digital infrastructure projects remain cost-effective and impactful.

Can we do the same for you?

Contact the CJ Founds Associates team and see how we can help with your project.