Barcelona GIX. IT Network Integration, Barcelona, Spain

Challenge:	The active & passive IT infrastructure and network owned by Barcelona City Council were managed separately under six different external contracts. This resulted in an inefficient, complex, and costly management system. The City Council needed a more flexible approach to improve and upgrade the existing network to provide IT corporate services to the city council.
Solution:	Barcelona City Council decided to use a public-partner partnership (PPP) to accelerate the process of integration, expansion, and evolution of the IT network while obtaining a better, safer, and customized IT service. The PPP involved bundling several activities, which were expected to generate efficiencies, and receiving financing for investment in new equipment from private firm. Additionally, the private operator would bring to the project experience and technological know-how about network management. The PPP project would allow the firm to use the spare capacity of the infrastructure to commercialize network capacity among operators in the wholesale market, in an innovative business model.
SDG Impact:	SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth. The improvement of the IT network, particularly in the 22^nd district, has increased and improved accessibility of IT services. In addition, it has become easier for entrepreneurs and private firms to access the digital economy and launch their products and services in the digital market. SDG 9: Industry, innovation & infrastructures. Barcelona GIX allows for the IT network to be improved and, as a result, the City Council can offer better service to workers and residents. SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals. The use of a PPP allows to improve and upgrade the City Council IT infrastructure. The public sector benefits from the know-how and technology from private sector while transferring the operation risk.
Compliance with UNECE People-first PPP criteria:	The project: Impacted positively on public services offered to city residents Improved technological public infrastructure Increased public workers productivity as there is a more reliable IT network Allowed for public funds savings that can be allocated to other projects More information This case study aspires to be People-first Public-Private Partnerships project and is published as received from the proponents.