Digital Region
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Digital Region is the name of a project in South Yorkshire set up to establish a high-speed broadband network in the region, with 98% coverage expected by the end of 2012. It is the first of its kind in the UK. The project is being co-ordinated by Digital Region Ltd. which is owned by Yorkshire Forward, and the four local authorities that encompass South Yorkshire, these are Sheffield City Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council [1]. Thales Group was chosen to design, deliver and manage the project on behalf of Digital Region Ltd..
 Digital Region Logo | |
| Location | South Yorkshire, UK |
|---|---|
| Website | www.digitalregion.co.uk |
Funding
The idea of the project is that it will eventually become self financing, however loans and grants have enabled the project to start. The project has received:
- £44 million grant funding from Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund.
- £40 million loan funding from Yorkshire Forward and the 4 local authorities.
- £10 million loan funding from the project technology partner, Thales Group.
Coverage
The project will cover the city, towns and villages of Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham and is expected to serve around 1.3 million people, 546000 homes and 40000 businesses [3].