Measuring the full impact of next generation broadband access is impossible; like imagining the many uses of the Internet, before it was invented.

Current broadband take up is low in South Yorkshire, with approximately 20% of residents in the region accessing broadband services. Digital Region aims to increase this take up significantly as new services are provided that enable users to access services without needing to use a PC.

Public sector organisations will benefit from enhanced, cost-effective infrastructure and the ability
to share services, giving them an opportunity to provide imported access to services for their customers.

Businesses will have access to higher speed broadband connectivity, enabling them to make full use of electronic services that will make them more productive and competitive. Next generation broadband will provide future applications that will become commonplace, much as email, eforms and ecommerce have transformed our lives via the internet. There is therefore significant potential for new businesses to be attracted into the region, new supply chains to be created and a huge growth dynamic for indigenous companies.

The 2005 UK Digital Strategy recognises the increasing value of broadband access for UK business.

"The effective use of broadband is the key to improved productivity and economic competitiveness. This is well understood by our competitors and our inward investors. A survey by the Institute of Directors (‘Broadband: its impact on British Business, 2004’), found that 84% of respondents using broadband saw a quantifiable increase in productivity and 61% said broadband had delivered cost savings. ”

Economic Regeneration in South Yorkshire
The key objective of Digital Region is to create a world-class platform capable of supporting economic transformation in the South Yorkshire region. As new services become a reality, knowledge based industries can grow to meet the new demand created. Existing businesses can exploit new services to reach new markets and increase efficiency and many businesses will use the opportunity to find new ways of working together for mutual benefit.

Encouraging Inward Investment
Digital Region offers a significant inward investment opportunity for companies indigenous to the region or considering locating within South Yorkshire. The initiative will therefore support the agencies charged with the remit of encouraging inward investment, offering them a real opportunity to promote the region’s latest unique selling point.

Supporting Businesses
The Digital Region project will provide business based in South Yorkshire with an unrivalled communication structure that will support competitiveness and business growth for companies working within UK and international markets.

Closing the Digital Divide
As a larger number of public and private sector services become more reliant on digital content and interaction, the challenge of ensuring a socially inclusive policy toward all sectors of society increases. Central to Digital Region is the drive to use evolving technology to close the divide that
exists through providing access for all citizens to the services offered by the public and private sector, easily and cost effectively. Fundamental to the success of the initiative will be in ensuring that the new services delivered via Digital Region are attractive, easy to use and directly beneficial to service users. This will directly impact on supporting local communities to become fully integrated
into the digital future.

“Broadband is important in ‘hooking’ users as it supports a richer, more interactive content, increases reliability, and makes the Internet a more satisfying experience – less waiting, more surfing.” (UK Digital Strategy)

Delivering Better and More Efficient Services
The Government has challenged Local Authorities and public sector organisations to use ‘e-services’ to improve the quality and efficiency of services to citizens. An aim of Digital Region is to cost effectively meet internal corporate networking needs of the public sector and provide a platform to deliver innovative services direct to citizens and businesses. Cost savings, greater efficiencies and more accessible services will directly benefit local residents and businesses.