BBC selects BT in £100m broadcast networking deal to replace Vodafone

CTO Matthew Postgate says deal will help BBC to save 'tens of millions of pounds'

The BBC has chosen BT to provide its broadcast network in a deal worth over £100m over seven years.

BT was chosen following a public procurement under BBC's Aurora Programme, which is re-sourcing all the BBC's core technology services as the current contract expires in April 2017. In this case, BT will be replacing Vodafone's broadcast network, which is provided through the BBC's principal tech services provider, Atos.

BBC CTO Matthew Postgate claimed that the deal, which the BBC can extend for a further three years, would save the organisation "tens of millions of pounds" and would vastly improve its network capabilities.

The BBC said the new network would be more efficient and flexible, with the ability to add extra services and capacity for major events such as a general election or the Olympics, both with more ease and at a lower cost than with the existing system. The broadcaster said the new network would also allow it to work with Ultra HD (4K), 360-degree content and "others yet to be invented".

The BT network will link all BBC UK sites, including 21 broadcasting centres and local radio stations. It will carry all video, audio and data traffic, as well as fixed-line telephony, ISDN and broadband services.

Postgate said that the decision to award BT the contract was an important step towards building an "internet-fit BBC" and would allow the organisation to "provide more interactive and personalised content in the future".

The BBC said it would continue to have an important strategic relationship with Vodafone, despite the switch to BT. It said that Vodafone still provided it with a key data centre, telephony services and additional connectivity in London.