Following an EU procurement process, Thales Communication Services Ltd (Thales) has been selected as ‘preferred bidder’ to deliver the groundbreaking Digital Region project across the whole of South Yorkshire.

Thales are leading a strong and experienced consortium that includes Alcatel-Lucent and Kingston Communications.

Contract negotiations with Thales have now started, and work is underway to reach an agreement before a contract is awarded.

The three bidders competing to become the business partner for
Digital Region are in the process of preparing their Best and Final
Offers (BAFO), as part of the EU procurement process that began back
in September 2005.

Final bids are expected from BT, BSkyB's Easynet and the consortium
led byThales Telecommunication Services Ltd, accompanied by Alcatel
Telecom Ltd and Kingston Communications.

Following consideration of the BAFOs, a recommendation will be made
to the Board to select the final Business Partner. We hope to announce a preferred bidder by the end of November, and following contract negotiations, it is anticipated that the successful Business Partner will commence the implementation phase in Quarter one 2007.

The competition to deliver South Yorkshire’s next generation broadband revolution is hotting up with three bidders competing for this landmark project.

Three of the five remaining shortlisted bidders have joined forces to form a consortium, providing a strong challenge to fellow bidders BT, and BSkyB’s Easynet. The consortium bid is being led by Thales Telecommunication Services Ltd, alongside Alcatel Telecom Ltd, and Kingston Communications. More...

The project has attracted the attention of some major players in the media and technology industries bidding to deliver a high-speed broadband infrastructure to South Yorkshire. More...

Digital Region is supported by the project partners, Sheffield City Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. More...