Questions & answers
Questions about college and university connectivity
Short answers, each linked to the guide with the detail and the sources.
Janet, Jisc and the basics
Do colleges and universities need a commercial internet provider?
Many connect through Jisc’s Janet network instead. Universities and FE colleges are “Category 1” organisations under the Janet connection policy, and a Janet IP connection is included in Jisc FE and HE membership. Extra bandwidth or a resilience connection costs extra. You may still buy circuits, networks and other services from commercial suppliers.
More detail: What is Janet, and what does a Janet IP connection include?
How much does Jisc membership cost an FE college?
In England the subscription is linked to the college’s DfE core funding for 16–19 learners and 19–24 trainees. Colleges in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland don’t pay a subscription, because Jisc’s funders cover it.
More detail: Jisc membership for colleges and universities: what it costs and what’s included
Does the Office for Students set any broadband rules?
We found none. We found only the general reportable-events regime, which isn’t specific to connectivity or cyber security.
More detail: Which standards apply to colleges, universities and training providers?
On campus
What speed should an FE college have?
In England, the DfE broadband standard says further education colleges should have capacity for 1Gbps download and upload over full fibre, plus a backup connection of a different type. It is a target for 2030. No UK source we found gives a per-student figure — our bandwidth estimator lets you use your own.
More detail: Which standards apply to colleges, universities and training providers?
Is there a broadband standard for universities?
We found no government Wi-Fi or bandwidth standard for universities. The DfE digital and technology standards name schools and colleges, not universities, and we found no Office for Students requirement on connectivity.
More detail: Which standards apply to colleges, universities and training providers?
What is eduroam and does it cost extra?
It is a single Wi-Fi login that works at every participating organisation. Jisc says over 560 UK organisations offer it and it is available in 101 countries. It is available at no extra cost to organisations eligible for Jisc services.
More detail: eduroam and govroam: roaming Wi-Fi for education and the public sector
Can we put student halls on Janet?
A university can generally connect its own halls to its campus network for students. But if rooms are let to members of the public — for example outside term time — that traffic must go to a public internet provider, not over Janet. Third-party-run halls need a licence from Jisc (this last point comes from a Jisc page we could only see in summary).
More detail: Broadband in student accommodation
Security & resilience
Is DDoS protection included with Janet?
Yes. Jisc’s Foundation DDoS mitigation covers every Janet-connected organisation. 24/7 “Foundation plus” and critical services protection (for DNS, websites and VPNs) are optional extras.
More detail: DDoS protection and Jisc’s CSIRT
Does KCSIE apply to colleges and apprenticeship providers?
Yes, for learners under 18. KCSIE’s definition of “college” includes FE and sixth-form colleges, 16–19 academies, special post-16 institutions and independent training providers. It asks for appropriate filtering and monitoring, with a review at least once every academic year.
More detail: Filtering and monitoring in colleges and training providers
Do colleges need Cyber Essentials?
In England, yes: the DfE cyber security standard says colleges must hold Cyber Essentials under their funding agreement.
More detail: Cyber security for colleges and universities
What does the PSTN switch-off mean for us?
Openreach says traditional phone lines go digital on 31 January 2027. The DfE’s guidance for the education estate says to audit everything on a copper line — alarms, lift lines, door entry, card machines and backup broadband — and to plan replacements with battery backup or a UPS.
More detail: The phone line switch-off: what colleges and universities need to check
Buying & procurement
Do we need to run a tender for Jisc membership?
Jisc says not, because it is the UK’s sole national research and education network. It recommends publishing a UK5 procurement transparency notice if the cost is over the relevant threshold. Check this with your own procurement adviser.
More detail: Jisc membership for colleges and universities: what it costs and what’s included
How do colleges buy network kit and circuits?
Options include the Jisc network solutions framework (equipment and services, launched June 2025), the Jisc telecommunications framework (circuits and dark fibre), the Government Commercial Agency’s Network Services 3 (to July 2027 for most lots) and frameworks from the university purchasing consortia.
More detail: Buying connectivity and network services through frameworks