The next generation of broadband that is beginning to emerge offers a whole new opportunity for communities, citizens and business to transform their daily lives. Broadband will no longer be restricted to a means of gaining internet access via a computer, but will instead be a platform that delivers private, public and business services to digital television, PC and phone. Broadband in South Yorkshire will be a key means of enabling communities, individuals and the public sector to interact in ways that even recently, were unimaginable.

The Digital Region project represents one of the largest public sector led open broadband infrastructure initiatives in the world. It will cover the city, towns and villages of Sheffield, Doncaster,
Barnsley and Rotherham, serving a population of over 1.3million citizens, 546,000 homes and 40,000
business.

It is supported by the project partners, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Sheffield City Council. Additional support is being provided by Objective 1 Office and Yorkshire Forward. Neighbouring authorities are already showing an interest in Digital Region with a view to replicating the initiative in their areas.