As the TaaS framework winds down, agencies face a rare opportunity to reshape how they think about connectivity and control.
By the end of 2026, the Telecommunications as a Service (TaaS) framework will be phased out - bringing to a close a centralised model that, for nearly a decade, shaped how government agencies procured and consumed network services.
Originally designed to simplify procurement and create consistency, TaaS has instead left many agencies constrained. With its retirement on the horizon, there’s now a limited window to move beyond those limitations and develop more modern, fit-for-purpose connectivity strategies.
The unintended consequences of standardisation
TaaS was introduced to solve a specific challenge: simplify how government agencies procured network services. The Department of Internal Affairs handled the primary procurement, vendors were onboarded and agencies could then source services from a centralised catalogue. While efficient in theory, the model often prioritised uniformity over adaptability.
Many agencies found themselves locked into aging technology stacks with no clear pathway for modernisation. Services were bundled into opaque offerings, giving agencies little control over performance or the ability to adapt infrastructure to meet their needs. The commercial model - particularly the one month minimum term contracts - discouraged long term investment from vendors, making service refreshes rare and upgrades practically non-existent.
As a result, some government sites are still being deployed with Wi-Fi infrastructure that is several generations out of date. And in many cases, support for those systems has already ended. Visibility was equally constrained: most agencies had little insight into how services were performing or how they might be improved.
The risk isn’t just poor connectivity – it’s falling behind. Government networks are no longer meeting modern standards for security, agility or cloud-readiness. Expectations have shifted but the infrastructure hasn’t kept pace.
Preparing for what’s next
The Department of Internal Affairs has begun early engagement with the market to explore what a replacement for TaaS could look like. But developing a new all-of-government model will take time and it may not meet the specific needs of every agency.
This transition period presents an opportunity for agencies to reassess what’s needed. Whether it’s increased visibility, more flexible commercial terms, or updated infrastructure, there is scope to consider alternatives that better reflect today’s technology landscape.
While moving on from TaaS may involve revisiting procurement processes, it doesn’t require starting from scratch. Some agencies are already working with external partners, testing new service models and architectures that avoid lengthy RFPs while delivering more tailored outcomes.
Exploring new models
Some agencies have already begun the shift. Inland Revenue, for example, has moved toward a more adaptable, future-focused approach - prioritising transparency, control and the ability to evolve on their own terms. Others are beginning to follow, motivated by mounting technical debt and the growing need for security and performance.
What’s emerging is a new type of model, one that values co-management over outsourcing and openness over black-box services. In these environments, IT teams retain greater access and oversight, with flexibility to shape their networks according to operational and policy needs. That could mean low-latency connectivity, native cloud integration, or hybrid setups that support digital public services.
At Inde, we’re already supporting agencies through this transition, helping them reimagine their networks beyond the limitations of TaaS. Our approach puts flexibility, co-management, and visibility at the centre - giving agencies the tools and support they need while maintaining control over their own environments.
Just as importantly, we’re helping shift the commercial model. Rigid per-user billing and one-month terms are giving way to agreements that support refresh cycles, scale with demand, and align investment to long-term outcomes - not just service availability.
The next 12 to 24 months offer agencies the chance to move with transition, before the next model is defined for them. Those that take early steps can shape connectivity strategies that not only support today’s demands but are built to evolve alongside the public services they enable.
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