Digital Region scheme to bring broadband to South Yorkshire

Chancellor Alistair Darling's recent Budget statement included a new Digital Region plan to boost broadband provision in the south Yorkshire region.

The new £100 million scheme will be led by Project Forward and involve the roll-out of next-generation broadband infrastructure with the aim of "stimulating economic activity through high-speed connectivity".

French defence electronics firm Thales has been contracted to run pilot schemes in Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham prior to the full roll-out.

Speaking about the government's action plans, business secretary Lord Mandelson described broadband as one of the most important of the UK's "bridges to our economic future".

He added that there is a "clear, strategic role for government to help make it a reality", but stopped short of confirming what this will be.

"We need to make sure that transformational technologies like broadband are genuinely available to virtually everyone," he said.

"And we need government action to help drive that change and ensure UK firms have the capacity to compete for the economic opportunities it brings."

However, the Country Land and Business Association has warned that the digital divide between rural and urban areas in the UK is rapidly "getting out of control".