Future cost models

As previously referenced, analysis shows that of the Wi-Fi roaming solutions most widely used by NHS and ICB Partners today, only two can be considered for ICB wide deployment. The two candidate solutions for ICB wide deployment are GovWifi and govroam. All information included in the below tables is subject to change. Information confirmed correct at time of writing (March 2023).

GovWifi

GovWifi is provided to central government departments free of charge. The costs of providing GovWifi are met by central government departments based on a business case derived from the financial benefits generated by the One Public Estate programme. The business case for a wide scale deployment for NHS and ICB partners is based on an alternative rationale. Further discussion would be required with GDS and Cabinet Office to review the funding model and potentially adjust it so that the costs are met by those central government departments that would realise the benefits such as Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Govroam

Govroam provides a number of subscription levels. The cost of a sector wide deployment of govroam are modelled in the table below. However, Jisc has advised AWTG that if NHS England was considering a nationwide roll out then a new licensing model would need to be devised. This may potentially be higher than a Super Federated rate (£9k boarding, £36,500 pa) but lower than the cost of 42 x Federated Rates (c£126k boarding, c£335k pa). The Super Federated models have been negotiated for national deployments in Wales and Scotland. A similar arrangement would need to be negotiated for NHS Trusts and ICB Partner Organisations in England. Jisc is a not-for-profit organisation.

Summary of costs

The following table provides an estimate of the cost of deploying govroam or GovWifi across NHS and ICB Partner organisations. These figures are only for the licensing costs for the Wi-Fi roaming solution. These figures do not include any internal costs of additional hardware (for example RADIUS Servers), implementation services and/or service management.

Table 11. Wi-Fi roaming cost models

Source: Jisc and GDS

*Notes regarding govroam cost estimates:

• the cost figures provided are ‘worst case’ for example they assume a withdrawal of all existing memberships and direct boarding. This is very unlikely as a large proportion of the NHS are govroam users
• Jisc currently classes trusts as Organisations. The fees are therefore £1k boarding, and £3,640 p.a. Jisc would not require a trust to join as a federation unless it was providing services to other local partners i.e. GPs If this was the preferred model, Jisc could potentially offer a bulk discount for the 203 trusts that are not currently members
• at time of writing, Jisc is in the process of updating its pricing model to reflect the new NHS Structure. Further details will be published in Spring 2023, enabling NHS and ICB organisations interested in procuring govroam to obtain an accurate quote based on their individual circumstances

** Notes regarding GovWifi cost estimates:

Given the size and scale of the wider deployment scenarios, it would be necessary to formally confirm with GDS/Cabinet Office that GovWifi would continue to be provided free of charge.

This report has identified the most widely deployed Wi-Fi roaming solutions employed in the NHS today.

It has discovered which of those solutions could be readily deployed across all organisations that are members of an ICB.

There are two such solutions, GovWiFi and govroam.

This report has not sought to recommend one of those Wifi roaming solution over the other.

Alternatively, the report has assessed each solution against a wide range of criteria and has provided information that the reader can use to make an informed decision about which solution best meets their requirements.
This assessment is set in context of the operational benefits that Wi-Fi roaming enables, the technical roadmaps of Wi-Fi standards and Wi-Fi technology, and finally, the product roadmaps for both solutions.

At a broader level, the report has identified that interoperability and economies of scale benefits can be realised when Wi-Fi roaming is deployed at trust, ICB and national level.

In conclusion, it is for the reader of the report to consider the information provided and to implement the solution that best fits their requirements.