Digital Region ISP launches next generation broadband innovation facility in South Yorkshire

George Taylor, CEO comments. "We have an extremely powerful capability, available exclusively to South Yorkshire, now we need to take advantage of it! Imagine sitting in a dentists surgery, streaming three-dimensional medical imaging over the web, and discussing your condition with a specialist dental consultant in London. Or downloading a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than ten minutes. Or collaborating with students around the world whilst watching live interactive video of a university lecture. Ubiquitous, super-fast Internet access will make all this, and more possible. What we now need to do, is bring together cutting edge ideas to foster a culture of innovation which will maximise the value of the technology and deliver real benefits to society. Our Rotherham datacentre is ideally placed at the hub of the Digital Region to allow this collaborative action to occur."

Whilst the Digital Britain initiative no longer seems to be committed to supporting next generation broadband rollout for all, DRBSY is deploying super-fast broadband services in South Yorkshire, and if effective, we will move to other areas of the country. We are delivering Internet speeds up to 100 times faster than most of the UKs residential users have access to today. We are now looking to work with interested parties to pave the way for next generation services.

In the first instance, were putting out a Request for Information (RFI) to help identify interested parties. We will welcome responses from the public sector, as well as members of the private sector or even residential users. Our objective is to experiment with innovative ways to help make Internet access better, and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that we have in mind:

Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and end-users can do with super-fast speeds, whether its creating new bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services, or other uses we cant yet predict.

New roll-out techniques: Well test new ways to build data networks; to help inform, and support deployments elsewhere, well share key lessons learned with all. E.g. working with new developers such as the British Coal site at Waverley where there are over 4,000 homes planned over the next 25 years.

Openness and choice: Well operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. Our datacentre is service provider neutral and we are keen to foster an environment of "co-opetition" to drive maximum benefits to end users.

The testing environment will allow direct access to our multi-gigabit fibre optic network and hosting facilities. DRBSY is in the process of enabling access for up to 500,000 consumers with 40Mbps internet connections. This is an effort to accelerate the pace of innovation by placing next-generation technology in the hands of individuals and entrepreneurs, and allowing them to discover the best uses for it. Super-fast networks may lead to unanticipated discoveries that will change how people connect, work, learn, play and contribute online. Digital Britain must continue to do its part to foster the development of research networks through a clear R&D funding agenda that is focused on broadband networks, equipment, services and applications. DRBSY asks for your support to drive this.

For more information, visit: www.digitalregionbroadband.co.uk or email innovate@drbsy.co.uk or call 01142 997260.