News: Digital Region goes live in South Yorkshire

Digital Region and Thales UK have announced the superfast Digital Region network has "gone live."

The pioneering multi-million pound project has the potential to create thousands of new jobs and is set to revolutionise how the people and businesses of South Yorkshire use the Internet.


The network, which is only available across South Yorkshire, will provide guaranteed download speeds of 25Mb and above - the UK average is currently around 4Mb. The network will also enable very high bandwidth upload speeds compared to current services.

Digital Region is wholly owned by Yorkshire Forward and the four local authorities of South Yorkshire. Together they attracted European, regional, local and private investment of over £90 million, including £30 million from the European Regional Development Fund. Thales UK is responsible for building, managing and developing the network.

Jim Farmery, Assistant Director of Business at Yorkshire Forward, said: “Digital Region is a high profile and innovative project that is being keenly watched by the rest of the UK and the EU.

"We hope the increased capability of electronic communication and data processing made available by Digital Region throughout South Yorkshire will act as a catalyst for existing and planned investments, and there is the potential for business to move to the region to take advantage of these benefits."

David Holt, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Region, says: "This is a truly groundbreaking project that will provide a major boost to South Yorkshire’s economy, encouraging inward investment and providing a wealth of opportunities for businesses, local residents and public sector organisations."

The network will reach 1.3 million people, 540,000 homes and 40,000 businesses – 97% of all premises in South Yorkshire.

The laying of fibre optic cables and installation of street cabinets for this next-generation broadband network is already underway, with the first connections anticipated to be ready for use in the market by early next year.

Digital Region website
Thales website
Rotherham

Images: digitalregion.co.uk