Digital
Region offers South Yorkshire the opportunity to position
itself within a global marketplace, offering Service Providers
a unique opportunity to provide a next generation broadband
infrastructure that will be closely watched by global players
in the communications sector.
As an initiative that is being embraced by the region’s key stakeholders, including Local Strategic Partnerships, policymakers, funding bodies, businesses and public sector organisations such as
health authorities and education providers, Digital Region is being firmly embedded within the future plans for the whole of South Yorkshire.
Digital Region Capabilities
The Digital Region infrastructure platform will be a wholesale, carrier-class network that enables IP-based services to be provided to citizens, businesses and the public sector throughout South Yorkshire. Key to the ambition of the project is a recognition that the Digital Region infrastructure will be able to meet the needs to Service Providers in a way that existing infrastructure is unable to
do at present.
As the platform will be wholesale to encourage competition, Service Providers will have access to a carrier class core and access network at published open book rates. The aim is to create a low overhead structure that produces an incentive for service providers to utilise the platform. In order to secure a Business Partner to design, build, manage and operate the Digital Region infrastructure on behalf of the South Yorkshire Local Authorities, a full and open negotiated EU procurement process was commenced in October 2005.
The final Business Partner will be appointed by the Councils’ approval following recommendation by the Digital Region Board in Autumn 2006.
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