Digital Region fibre broadband extended to Sheffield schools

Sheffield schools are set to benefit from a new multi-year fibre optic broadband contract between the city council and Digital Region.

The 160-plus schools in the South Yorkshire city are expected to reduce their expenditure on telecoms services by up to a combined £545,000, reports the Star.

As a result of the five-year £1 million agreement, more than 65,000 pupils in the area will be able to take advantage of bandwidth-hungry online applications.

City council cabinet member for children, young people and families Jackie Drayton said: "Young people across South Yorkshire can experience the next generation of communications technology, giving access to internet services that are not yet available in most schools elsewhere in the UK."

It is "vital" that children in Sheffield are given the best possible start in life, she added.

In June, Digital Region announced its fibre broadband deployment was well underway, with more than 50 per cent of the infrastructure finished.