Telecommunications Transformation Initiative


  • Goal

    To move the Government of Canada to a single, shared telecommunications network infrastructure.

 

  • What is a telecommunications network?

    A telecommunications network consists of hardware and software that carry voice, images, video, and data from place to place. Examples are phone networks, the Internet, and private computer networks. Large organizations may have their own internal telecommunications networks.

Telecommunications includes the transmission of data and voice within and across the Government of Canada.

Data network services include all software, as well as wiring, switches, hubs, routers and all other hardware required to support data communications between computing devices.

Voice communication services include local and long-distance services globally, as well as fax services, voice mail, videoconferencing, secure voice and other related services.

Between 2011 and 2019, the Government of Canada will transition to a single, shared telecommunications network infrastructure, while maintaining required departmental segregation of data through security domains and zones.

As part of the consolidation, Shared Services Canada will:

  • converge systems for voice, data and video onto the same network to minimize duplication and reduce costs;
  • expand the Government of Canada's wireless network infrastructure to meet the growing requirement for connectivity to mobile devices, laptops and tablets; and
  • implement a more robust, standardized network security infrastructure to enhance the Government's cyber security, resulting in improved security services, awareness capabilities, and ability to counter security threats.