South Yorkshire broadband plan shelved after weak demand

A £100 million project aimed at bringing businesses and homes in South Yorkshire next-generation broadband access has been delayed due to subdued demand.

Dubbed Digital Region, the government-supported scheme was designed to implement one of the most advanced broadband infrastructures in Europe and benefit homeowners and commercial organisations in the area.

While 80 per cent of the region will be able to enjoy the advantages from super-fast connectivity, those areas without it will only see it rolled out if the project makes sufficient profit to allow it to be expanded further.

David Carr, chief executive of the scheme, told the Yorkshire Post: "We've got funding for the first 80 per cent of the population and that will be complete by the early part of next year. But this is still absolutely a 97 per cent project."

Rob Johnston, chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, told the Westmorland Gazette that Cumbrian firms will benefit from a £16.8 million government funding boost to its broadband infrastructure.