Updated: Some content has moved to new Public Services Network site. Duplicated content removed and links to new site added.
Overview
The Public Services Network (PSN) will substantially reduce the cost of communication services across UK government and enable new, joined-up and shared public services for the benefit of citizens. PSN is creating one logical network, based on industry standards, and a more open and competitive ICT marketplace at the heart of the UK public sector.
Both the PSN connectivity and the services frameworks are now operational; the associated documentation is available on the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) website.
PSN is at the heart of one objective of the government’s ICT Strategy. PSN provides an assured network over which government can safely share services, including many G-Cloud services, to collaborate in new ways, more effectively and efficiently than ever before.
This is the latest Programme Director’s update.
Browse Public Service Network: FAQs for more information.
Start using PSN as a customer
To start using the PSN as a customer (buyer), go to the CCS website.
Customers (buyers) are usually local authorities, central government departments, or other public sector body.
The guide explains more about the kinds of services you can purchase and the level of accreditation of those services.
Transfer to PSN for existing customers (GCF or GCSX)
On 1 February 2013, we:
- removed IL2 GCF Connectivity (GCSX Connectivity) as an available service from the GCF Catalogue
- reaccredited GCSX to IL2, supported by the interconnect between GCSX and PSN at IL2
These steps have been undertaken to facilitate transition to PSN and should not have an immediate impact on business.
A first step that GCF customers can take to begin preparing for PSN is to switch from the GSi code of connection to PSN. Providing there are currently no significant information architecture (IA) issues with your environment, the transition should be straightforward. Once certified for PSN, the annual CoCo assessment charge you already pay allows you to connect either to GSi or to the PSN, and so it allows you to switch to PSN when it is most convenient for you.
You will need:
For further information on the transition to PSN please see the Technical transition guidance, and PSNA Notice 1 of 2012: migration to PSNCoCo, Update.
Help with making a Code of Connection submission
To help with your submission use this example of a completed PSN Code Template Annex B, to guide you when you complete the template for your own organisation. It should be noted that it is an example: your systems, organisation and way of working will be unique to your organisation and this should be reflected in your submission.
For more help, contact the PSNA Compliance Team directly at psna.compliance@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk.
Using the PSN as a customer (buyer)
Government Procurement Service supports procurement professionals through the award and management of contracts within common categories of spend for use across the whole public sector. These deals are made available through the use of a suite of eEnablement tools providing efficiencies in procurement processes and reducing the resource requirements within individual organisations.
Customers wishing to access services under the PSN frameworks should use the CCS eSourcing suite to undertake a further competition. To maximise value, GPS will also be managing and running a series of Aggregated Further Competitions. Further details of these events will be available on the GPS website.
If you are planning to buy telecommunications services through national PSN frameworks established by the Government Procurement Service, these documents offer an overview of the services available via these frameworks and a guide to using them.
Start providing services over PSN
Every service provided over PSN must be accredited. They are not limited to this list of services, but it illustrates some of the possibilities:
- wide area network
- broadband
- telephony and call centres
- public videoconferencing service
- access to commercial databases
- secure conferencing services
- CCTV
- access to a government database
- data transfer via email
- virtual private network
Many services have been submitted for PSN Compliance, even ahead of securing a clear procurement channel. Here is a list of services already compliant or in the process of achieving PSN Compliance.
Applications to provide PSN Compliant services are welcome at psna.compliance@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. More information on the compliance process and the steps required can be found in PSN compliance process for suppliers.
BSI standard 27001 has been revised. Read about the impact of BSI 27001 on applications to join PSN.
PSNGB industry association
The PSNGB is a trade association for any organisation or individual that provides PSN services to the public sector. It brings together the collective strength of suppliers in ways that allow them to change their market place for the better. The PSNGB continues the great work that has already been done in order to get the Public Services Network this far. PSNGB will continue to work to ensure that the Public Services Network is an efficient, dynamic and vibrant market place.
The GCF transition to PSN
Central government departments and organisations across the wider public sector have transitioned, or are currently transitioning, to PSN connectivity.
A key element of this is regular messages to help guide organisations through each stage of the transition process, making them aware of the deadlines and what they need to do to meet them.
To help your organisation transition to PSN read the transition communications messages (which are in date order with the latest at the top) or related information on this page.
If you would like to speak to somebody who can help with any questions you may have about your transition, please contact your organisation’s nominated contact from the PSN project managers contact list.
IP Address Allocation request and guidance
Current GCF customers should use the following form to request mapped IP addresses to support your GCF to PSN transition.
If you need support or guidance please contact your organisation’s nominated contact from this PSN project managers contact list.
To help your organisation transition to PSN, read our most frequently used documentation.
Transition plans - October 2013 update
Both central and non-central government have advanced plans for transitioning to PSN; links to the latest high level roadmaps for both central and non central government are provided below. These roadmaps form a core element within an evolving market maturity picture which the PSN Programme has committed to publish and maintain under the direction of the PSN Programme Board.
This latest release not only demonstrates the significant traction gained in 2012 to 2013 but also positions a number of major PSN procurement activities to be launched by Tier 1 departments in 2013/14, and sets out the wider ambition to capture the bulk of Tier 2 and Tier 3 organisations within central government.
The letter below, signed by senior officials in Cabinet Office, Connecting for Health and local government, articulates the current position with respect to plans for the transition of services currently provided via the NHS N3 network to the PSN and enabling local public sector organisations to more effectively and efficiently deliver joined up public health services.
PSN Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) approval guidance - March 2013 update
The attached supplementary guidance has been produced by the PSN Programme to assist central government organisations. This guidance complements the latest Cabinet Office Spend Controls guidance framework, currently at Version 3.1. The ICT Spend Control (Section 8) content makes specific cross reference to the PSNSRO control requirement.
View the full Cabinet Office spend controls.
PSN resources and documentation
All PSN standards, guidance and other documents can be found in our resources and documentation library.
Contact us
General Communications with the PSN Programme and PSN Authority:
PSNA Compliance Team, for compliance requests and questions regarding compliance:
PSNA Service Bridge, for major incidents and security incidents: