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DONCASTER is in line to become part of a new 'Digital Region' - providing a gateway for homes and businesses across the borough to access the very latest in internet technology.
Under plans currently being considered by the local authority the town has been lined up to receive "next generation high speed" broadband services, which project managers say will boost the local economy and radically alter day-to-day life.
The 112m scheme - expected to create almost 5,000 jobs across South Yorkshire over the next ten years - involves laying fibre optic cable throughout the whole region rather than use the copper telephone lines already in place.
Experts say the new technology will support more flexible working patterns and education from home by offering enhanced videoconferencing and 3D applications - making it possible, for example, to visit a doctor's surgery for advice without actually leaving the house.
A new operational centre, offering 75 high skill jobs, would also be based in Doncaster.
Members of Doncaster Council's economy and enterprise overview and scrutiny panel last week welcomed the project and supported a 2m local authority loan towards the cost of the initiative.
Peter Dale, DMBC's director of development, said: "The opportunity to invest now gives us a jump (on other counties]. It will attract investment and help support existing businesses. The cost of not doing this will be greater than doing it."
Trevor Shaw, of Yorkshire Forward, said the Regional Development Agency would pump more than 40m into the scheme, subject to final approval.
He said: "This is about South Yorkshire getting a competitive edge. If we can deliver this we will be the first sub region to get this. That's why my board have supported it.
"We don't want to continue playing catch up with the South East."
Super-fast broadband would be available to 97 per cent of the Doncaster population, according to council documents.
Users would still enter into contracts with internet service providers - the cost of which would be kept down due to industry competition, last week's meeting heard.
The Digital Region project has already been approved by Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield councils - and will go before Mayor Martin Winter and his cabinet later this month before the approval of full council is sought.
Bosses hope to start work on the new cable network in January.
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Weather for Doncaster
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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