UK-based telent Technology Services has secured a contract worth roughly £500m from Highways England to operate and manage the National Roads Telecommunication Services (NRTS) network, which forms an important part of the country’s national road infrastructure.

The seven-year deal will see telent be responsible for managing the NRTS system, which supports an approximately 4,400mi-long strategic road network within England.

“We are excited to begin work transforming the NRTS network, ensuring we deliver a service that consistently upholds health and safety standards and delivers the required performance.”

The company plans to provide an end-to-end managed service from its network operations centre in Quinton, Birmingham.

Furthermore, a number of telecommunications project works currently being carried out under the government’s Road Investment Strategy will be transferred to telent as part of the arrangement.

telent CEO Mark Plato said: “With telent’s proven capability designing, delivering and supporting England’s critical national infrastructure, we are uniquely positioned to support Highways England, who we have had a relationship with for over 20 years.

“We are excited to begin work transforming the NRTS network, ensuring we deliver a service that consistently upholds health and safety standards and delivers the required performance.”

telent and Highways England will work to transform the NRTS network from early next year under the plan, as well as roll-out the latest carrier-grade network technology to support the implementation of new telecommunication services.

The works are expected to enhance safety for road workers and users, in addition to reducing travelling delays.

The technology is also anticipated to assist in the development of future communications-based services and emerging technologies such as 5G and connected vehicles.

NRTS technology comprises 6,000mi of fibre and copper networks with 145 transmission stations and almost 5,000 roadside cabinets.

It is used to connect Highways England’s seven regional control centres with more than 30,000 roadside devices.

The technology maintains connection with the CCTV cameras, message signs, emergency roadside phones and smart motorway equipment.