Doncaster Council to prop up fibre broadband scheme

Doncaster Council has agreed an emergency bailout for the Digital Region fibre optic broadband project, a joint partnership between Yorkshire Forward and the four South Yorkshire authorities.

According to the Doncaster Free Press, the local authority will contribute £630,000 to support the beleaguered broadband scheme, which has so far failed to turn a profit after struggling to attract enough customers.

The council believes the project will help to attract inward investment to the area and support local businesses.

When the rollout of the Digital Region fibre optic broadband network is finished, it will deliver connectivity to 1.3 million people across South Yorkshire.

Simon Wiles, Doncaster Council's director of finance and corporate services, said the funding will help to guarantee the future of the next-generation broadband project.

"Subject to decisions by our Digital Region partners, the new business model will play its part in ensuring super-fast broadband is available to as many people and businesses as possible," he added.