Access or provide Public Service Network (PSN) services and connectivity
How public sector organisations can access or provide free-of-charge services over PSN and how commercial service providers can sell services on PSN.
When your organisation achieves PSN customer compliance it can buy connectivity and access services available on PSN.
Once your organisation has a PSN service provider compliance certificate it can provide service(s) over PSN.
Access PSN services
Once your organisation’s connection achieves PSN connection compliance it can consume PSN connectivity and services.
There is usually some kind of agreement you make with your provider to consume services. This might be a contract if you’re paying for the services, or a memorandum of understanding if it’s for services you get free-of-charge from public sector bodies. Whatever form the agreement takes, we call it a PSN supply agreement.
You must include certain clauses in your PSN supply agreements, which can be found in the PSN standard terms and conditions so that you remain PSN compliant. Your compliance status is at risk if you don’t include these clauses in your PSN supply agreement.
Your service provider must give you a take-on guide so that you can configure your ICT to find and consume the service. Read the guide on configuring your system for more details on what to expect from your service provider.
Choose your service provider(s) from our list of PSN-compliant services.
About the services you consume
Use of any services over the PSN is at all times at your own risk. Make sure you fully read the agreements that you make with the service provider for details and definitions about the data you use or transfer using the service.
Consume free PSN services
Some services are provided free-of-charge by public sector organisations, for example to meet statutory obligations. These are information services, typically coordinated by central government organisations for local authorities. Many are currently provided to PSN customers from legacy networks. The providers of these services are responsible for their transition to PSN.
Buy PSN services from the Digital Marketplace
If you’re a central government department, a non-departmental body or an arm’s length body, you’ll come through the Cabinet Office Spend Controls process.
You can use the Digital Services Framework to buy services through the Digital Marketplace. Read how to use the Digital Services Store and the Digital Marketplace buyers’ guide.
You can also buy services from the:
Whichever procurement route you choose, you will need to know whether the services you’re interested in are PSN connected and appear in the published list of PSN-compliant services.
For any PSN questions that are not commercial, contact us.
For commercial questions about these frameworks, email the Crown Commercial Service at info@ccs.gsi.gov.uk.
Supply services over PSN
Once your organisation’s connection has PSN service provision compliance or your network has PSN connectivity service compliance it can provide PSN services.
There is usually some kind of agreement you make with your consumer when providing them with your services. This might be a contract if you’re charging for the service(s), or a memorandum of understanding if you are a public sector body providing services free-of-charge. Whatever form the agreement takes, we call it a PSN supply agreement.
You must include certain clauses in your PSN supply agreements, which can be found in the PSN standard terms and conditions so that you remain PSN compliant. Your compliance status is at risk if you don’t include these clauses in your PSN supply agreement.
You must provide consumers of your service(s) with a take-on guide so that they can configure their ICT to find and consume the service(s).
Provide free services over PSN
As a government organisation, you may need to provide free-of-charge services to public sector organisations, for example to meet statutory obligations. Your organisation may already provide these services to PSN customers from a legacy network, such as the GSi Convergence Framework (GCF). You are responsible for the transition of these services to PSN.
Sell services over PSN
Last updated 17 March 2016 + show all updates
-
Updated to reflect revised compliance process for connectivity services.
-
First published.