Superfast broadband switch on marks UK first

SOUTH Yorkshire will become the envy of the digital world today with the switching on of its superfast broadband network.

The network, delivered by Digital Region and rolled out by Thales UK, takes the promise of guaranteed speeds of 25Mb/s per second and beyond one step closer to reality.

The pioneering multi-million pound project has the potential to create thousands of new jobs and is set to revolutionise how people and businesses in South Yorkshire use the internet.

The switch on, which will take place at Thale’s Doncaster site, will enable internet service providers (ISPs) to get involved in the project.

A spokesman said that South Yorkshire firms and home users can expect superfast broadband to be in their homes in early 2010.

The country’s average broadband connection is currently less than four Mb/s.

Digital Region is wholly owned by regional development agency by Yorkshire Forward and the four local authorities of South Yorkshire.

The infrastructure roll-out is being headed by Thales UK, which is leading a consortium that includes Alcatel-Lucent and Hull-based KCOM.

Work on the infrastructure began in June with the first homes being able to take up the service by 2010. The vast majority of the network will be completed within three years.