# Telecom, phones & internet tenders and contracts across Canada

By: CrewBid Team. Live open bids and numbers: https://crewbid.tech/trades/telecom

Public bodies buy phone systems, mobile plans, internet connections and the cabling that ties their buildings together. The carrier contracts go to large telecoms, but cabling, phone system installs, radio and fibre projects bring many tenders for regional firms.

## Who buys telecom?

- **Municipalities and regional districts**, for phone systems, fibre between sites, radio and connectivity projects.
- **School districts**, for structured cabling in renovations and new schools, and wireless networks.
- **Health authorities and crown corporations**, for large networks, usually through prequalified lists.
- **First Nations and rural regional districts**, for community broadband projects.

## What does the work include?

Cabling tenders come with drawings for data drops, fibre runs, racks and testing to a named standard. Phone system tenders cover a hosted or on-site system, porting numbers, handsets, training and support. Fibre and broadband projects cover design, permits, construction and network operation. Radio tenders cover two-way radio for works and emergency crews.

## How is it priced?

Cabling is usually a lump sum or a price per drop, with test reports required. Phone systems are priced per seat per month plus set-up, or as a capital purchase plus support. Broadband projects are priced like construction, often with government grant rules attached.

## When do these tenders come out?

Cabling tenders follow renovations and new school or civic building projects, often as part of the electrical or general contract. Phone system replacements come up when an old system reaches end of support. Broadband projects follow federal and provincial grant intakes, so watch for them after funding is announced.

## What do you need to bid?

Expect certifications for the cabling systems you install, test equipment and reports, references, and WorkSafeBC registration and a clearance letter for on-site work. Cabling inside buildings may need to be done under an electrical contractor licence. Broadband projects often need engineering staff and experience with permits on public roads.

See [IT products](https://crewbid.tech/trades/it-products) and the [IT and tech contracts guide](https://crewbid.tech/guides/tech-it-contracts-bc) for related work.

## Sources

- [How the government buys (Government of Canada)](https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/acquisitions/support-for-businesses/understand-procurement-process/how-government-buys.html)