Digital Region Limited is delighted to announce that the company has been given further support by its shareholders following a recent review period.
The review has confirmed that there is a strong commitment to super fast broadband in the region. Its implementation will continue and will aid economic growth and development, keeping South Yorkshire ahead of the digital curve.
Digital Region Ltd (DRL), in partnership with its shareholders, has undertaken a review of the current Digital Region business model and has proposed that in order to continue to deliver and progress in what is a rapidly changing market, a new business model is required.
David Cowell, Chief Operating Officer at DRL was highly praised for his much valued leadership and direction throughout the review. He commented, “The project is pioneering and it has helped place South Yorkshire at the forefront of the UK’s digital agenda.
“Thanks to our current delivery partner Thales, the build phase has been successfully completed to time and cost and whilst the majority of the UK must wait until 2015 to experience superfast broadband, a phenomenal 80% of SY businesses and residents can already connect.
“DRL is delighted to move forward with the continued support of both the board and the central government and Local Authority shareholders.”
Digital Region will move in line with the commercial model being promoted by central government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) for superfast broadband in the rest of the UK. The BDUK commercial model places the majority of risk and liability to a private sector partner. The appointed supplier takes responsibility for all operating costs, sales, marketing and revenue generation.
Andrew Bedford, Strategic Director of Resources at Rotherham MBC said, “The new business model aims to ensure that superfast broadband is available to as many people and businesses as possible, whilst also helping to reduce the council’s current commitments and future risk. The new plan will help make South Yorkshire competitive with other areas and encourage economic development and growth.”
Digital Region Ltd will now work to procure a private sector partner to take over the operations of the broadband network and Digital Region Ltd will make further announcements regarding the tender application in May 2012.
David Cowell continued, “This is a significant and exciting development and is without doubt the best way forward for Digital Region to ensure the significant benefits of the project are delivered and the people of South Yorkshire can continue to benefit. It is our goal to meet and, wherever possible, to exceed in delivering the original mandate set out to achieve growth and transformation in the region.”
The decision to align DR to the government’s BDUK model has been reviewed and ratified by both the DRL board and shareholders. DRL will endeavour to successfully deliver this across the next 12 months.