SUPERFAST SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Fast and reliable broadband is expected by all residents in new build developments, with more uses for broadband than ever before including streaming in ultra-HD, working from home, low-latency online gaming, online shopping, and smart home security. The provision of gigabit-capable full fibre broadband will make the properties more attractive to buyers and will meet the resident’s broadband expectations. 

Having the right level of connectivity is crucial for commercial developments to ensure businesses have the complete infrastructure available from the first day. This will also help developers sell and fill the site.

Network operators are equally interested in working to provide connectivity at commercial sites, but critically need to be made aware of developments are the earliest possible opportunity to enable the best solution.

For both residential and commercial developments, the earlier the developer engages with digital infrastructure providers the easier and more cost effective it is to install the infrastructure to sites. 

Developers will be asked to consider installing gigabit-capable full fibre infrastructure from multiple network operators to provide choice and competition to consumers. Occupiers should be able to access broadband ideally from a choice of at least two network operators upon occupation of the premises. Developers should also consider their ability to upgrade the infrastructure in the future to minimise disruption to occupiers/users.

If you have any questions regarding the installation of gigabit capable infrastructure to a development, please get in touch via email.

The Government is on a mission to deliver lightning-fast, reliable broadband to homes and businesses across the UK and have committed £5 billion to connect rural communities.

Project Gigabit will bring full fibre broadband to some of the most rural parts of South Yorkshire. The project will target properties with the slowest speeds that would have otherwise been left behind by commercial plans by using government funding to install full fibre infrastructure.

Rural homes and businesses from across the region will be able to access lighting fast speeds of up to 1000Mbps- enough to download a HD movie in less than 30 seconds and lay the foundations for tomorrow's tech such as 8K-quality video streaming. The average download speeds for South Yorkshire currently stands at 76.4Mbps, gigabit broadband will be over 13x faster than this.

The South Yorkshire Digital Infrastructure Strategy is part of, and covers, one of three key areas of activity critical to providing a strategic approach to addressing the digital agenda across South Yorkshire in an integrated way.

The Digital Infrastructure Strategy approved by the MCA in September 2021 sets out how we intend to accelerate the development of ‘gigabit capable’ digital infrastructure and 5G networks across the whole of South Yorkshire and includes proposals for public interventions to support achieving this strategic ambition. It sets out a Vision to deliver: ‘A Gigabit infrastructure that accelerates new social and economic possibilities for all the people and businesses of South Yorkshire.’

Residents and businesses in rural areas can apply for Gigabit Vouchers to help towards providing the coverage they need. Launched in April 2021, a fund up to £210 million was created to help subsidise the cost of connecting rural homes and businesses to the full fibre network. Residents can apply for vouchers up to the value of £1500 and businesses £3500 to form community led partnerships. 

Communities across South Yorkshire in Tankersley, Pilley and Billingley have successfully made use of the scheme and are benefitting from gigabit capable broadband. 

To find out if your community could benefit from a gigabit voucher project visit  the Gigabit Voucher Website.

Yorkshire Water with Arcadis and The University of Strathclyde secured funding from DCMS (Department of Culture, Media and Sport) and BDUK (Building Digital UK) to conduct a 2-year trial in which they will look to deploy 17km of fibre optic cables in drinking water pipes between Penistone and Barnsley. If successful, this could allow up to 8500 homes to access full fibre broadband as well as enabling rural 5G masts.

Visit Yorkshire Water's website for more information on this project.