California is continuing to add new offerings to CALNET, the state’s multibillion-dollar telecommunication procurement that provides products and services from pre-qualified vendors to state and local departments and agencies.
The Department of Technology is finalizing contracts this month for satellite-based voice and data services. AT&T and Verizon, IP Access International, Remote Satellite Systems International and two other firms won bids.
Those companies will provide services under CALNET 3's newly created Category 10: Satellite Communications. Solutions includes satellite voice services, satellite voice service plans, and satellite handheld phones and terminals.
Separately, CALNET also is creating a new "Category 14" for broadband Internet.
"This is intended to be a low-cost option that could be used in those areas where it's difficult for the traditional telcos to provide services with dedicated Internet service," said Barbara Garrett, deputy director of the Statewide Telecommunications Network Division.
Category 14 will be split into two subcategories: one for non-terrestrial-based high-speed Internet (satellite) and another for terrestrial-based high-speed Internet, such as DSL and fiber services. The pre-solicitation document for Category 14 is scheduled to be released in early November.
Earlier in 2016, CALNET also began refreshing contracts for Category 3: Metropolitan Area Network Ethernet and Category 5: Managed Internet.
Category 3 provides and supports Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Ethernet services that "enable customers to connect physically distributed locations across a metropolitan area as if they are on the same LAN where the switching equipment is owned and maintained by the contractor," according to the state. This category currently is awarded to AT&T, CenturyLink and Integra.
Category 5 provides and supports Internet access for port- and circuit-based service that can support up to 10 Gbps. This category currently is awarded AT&T and Integra.
Awards for both Category 3 and Category 5 are targeted to occur in December 2016.
Garrett also said the state is beginning to plan for CALNET 4, and could share more about that in 2017.
