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.

Since announcing the shortlist, NTL has withdrawn from the procurement process due to current commitments. Easynet, who are currently undergoing a takeover by market-leading broadcaster BSkyB, have been selected to take their place from the original responses.

The Digital Region project is supported by a partnership of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Sheffield City Council, and Yorkshire Forward.

The six companies making up the shortlist were selected from a number of companies who presented tenders as part of an open negotiated EU procurement process, issued in September by Sheffield City Council on behalf of the project partners. The shortlist is made up of the following key players in the communications market:

• Affiniti (part of Kingston Communications Plc)
• Alcatel Telecom Ltd
• BT Plc
• Easynet
• Thales Telecommunications Services Ltd
• Your Communications Ltd

Graeme Dent, Director of the Digital Region project said: “We are pleased to welcome Easynet as a new bidder on the shortlist, and are confident that all these six companies offer the potential to deliver a world-class, and ground-breaking broadband service, across the whole of South Yorkshire.”

The Digital Region project has the potential to become the largest open access broadband infrastructure platform in the world, and will offer universally available access for businesses, homes and public sector organisations.

For home users, the project will offer the opportunity to have access to advanced e-government services, communications and entertainment at far greater speeds and quality than ever before. It is hoped, the availability of such advanced technology will transform businesses in both the private and public sectors.