WELCOME TO THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE TEAM

The majority of properties in South Yorkshire (99.3% at the time of writing) are able to access superfast broadband as a result of commercial delivery and the Superfast South Yorkshire government-funded broadband programme. 

Superfast broadband is generally defined as part-fibre broadband which can reach speeds above 30Mbps. As technology develops, demand is increasing for faster and more reliable internet services with the capacity to support home working, home learning, and multi-device entertainment. As a result, residents and businesses are looking for the next generation of broadband technology: gigabit-capable broadband such as fibre to the premise (FTTP).

To find what kind of broadband service is available to your address, we suggest using one of the following tools:

• Ofcom Checker title 
• Check Postcode Level Broadband Performance and Coverage 

If you can't get gigabit-capable connection yet, it could be coming soon. The commercial sector is building fast in South Yorkshire, both the big, national companies like Openreach and Virgin Media and smaller, more local companies known as "Alt Nets" (alternative networks.) If your area isn't being served by gigabit-capable infrastructure yet, some infrastructure providers allow you to register your interest in getting a faster connection so they can notify you when they start building in your area.

This is not an exhaustive list, but this is a brief overview of some suppliers you can register an interest with:

• Openreach Fibre Broadband 
• Virgin Media Postcode Checker 
• CityFibre Residential Broadband 
• Hyperoptic Register Your Interest

 If there are no imminent plans for commercial rollout in your area, it is possible that government-sponsored rollout is coming - check out our section on Project Gigabit.

If you can't get connected through a wired connection, there are some alternative options:

• 4G/5G broadband: If you can't get a wired connection to a broadband network but do get good mobile signal, you can utilise mobile broadband at home, either via a dongle (a small 4G- or 5G-enabled device which connects to your devices via USB or wi-fi to get you connected,) or a mobile broadband router.
•  FWA (fixed wireless access) : Fixed wireless broadband is a way of achieving connectivity in premises without the need for a wired connection. A small dish is attached to the side of the property, which then links into a local transmitter which is connected to a fibre broadband network. This can achieve speeds of up to 50-60Mbps.

• Satellite : Satellite broadband is a way of achieving connectivity in premises without the need for a wired connection. A satellite dish is installed onto the property, and a satellite internet package can then be bought by the consumer. Satellite broadband can be provided almost anywhere as long as there is a clear line of site to the sky, so this is a solution that works for the most remote locations, however this is an expensive solution and data allowances may be limited.

Mobile connectivity is increasingly integral to how most people are keeping in touch and getting online today. Around 95% of adults have access to a mobile phone, and an Ofcom report in 2020 suggested that the vast majority of adults (85%) were using their smartphone to get online for an assortment of essential life activities.

At the South Yorkshire Digital Infrastructure Team, we know that getting a strong, reliable signal is critical to residents across South Yorkshire for all their mobile connectivity needs, and we work to facilitate that.

2g, 3g, 4g, 5g

There have been five generations of mobile networks to date. 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G represent the five generations of mobile networks where G stands for ‘Generation’ and the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 represent the generation number. Since the early 1980s, we have seen a new generation of mobile networks loosely every 10 years.

The first generation of mobile networks used analogue technologies to deliver mobile communications services. The later generations moved on to using digital technologies. 

• 1G mobile network services provided basic voice calling services.
• 2G mobile networks provided more secure voice calling and text messaging, and limited mobile internet.
• 3G mobile networks were the first to widely offer voice, text and data services.
• 4G was the first generation of mobile networks that were data-based, offering IP-based voice calling and text messaging and high-speed mobile data. 4G networks have the ability to "fall back" on 2G/3G to support voice calling and text messaging when full 4G is not available.
• 5G is the latest generation of mobile network; like 4G it is data-based, offering IP-based voice calling & text messaging and higher speed mobile data compared to 4G. However, at the moment many 5G networks are not "standalone", meaning the technology is enabled by a combination of 4G and 5G networks.

5G and health

Myths and conspiracy theories have spread regarding the safety of 5G. In some cases this has lead to the destruction of 5G equipment and intimidation of telecoms workers.

So, is it safe?

Yes. 5G mobile data is transmitted over radio waves, which are a form of non-ionising radiation, meaning they do not carry enough energy to directly damage a person's DNA inside cells.

Public Health England (PHE) advises the Government on any potential effects that electromagnetic fields (radio waves) may have on public health, and PHE's findings are summarised here:

"It is possible that there may be a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves when 5G is added to an existing network or in a new area. However, the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and, as such, there should be no consequences for public health."

PHE is committed to monitoring the evidence and revising this advice as necessary. You can read Public Health England's full guidance on 5G technologies, radio waves, and health for more information. 

3g switch off?

Mobile network providers in the UK are planning to gradually switch off their 3G and 2G networks over the coming years, with the intention to use the network capacity this frees up to support the rollout of the 4G and 5G networks to offer faster and more reliable services for customers.

We anticipate this should have a minimal impact for the majority of mobile phone users, since the most people are using 4G and/or 5G capable phones. For some users of older phones, health alarms or pet trackers, there could be an impact. 

Money Saving Expert provides a useful checking tool that will help you confirm whether your phone supports 4G or 5G, or whether you'll need to upgrade before services are switched off. You can find this 4G/5G compatibility checker here.

Coverage & coverage check

You can check which mobile network has the best coverage for your address using a coverage checker. We recommend using the Ofcom mobile coverage checker to see all the networks in one place, or you can use the coverage maps provided by most individual network operators.

If you're using one of the smaller, "virtual" networks which don't own their own network but utilise one of the main networks' infrastructure, it's worth being aware which of the main networks your provider "piggybacks" from so you can check their coverage mapping.

Social tariffs

 As with broadband, there is a wide range of costs, and we know the cost of a mobile contract can be a struggle for some people. Some mobile networks provide a "social tariff" or low cost tariff, which is a lower cost contract for calls, messages and data, with the advantages that you find with broadband social tariffs (no in-contract price changes, no startup/cancellation fees.)

You can find details of mobile phone social tariffs in this Ofcom list of cheap broadband and phone packages.

The UK Government is on a mission to deliver lightning-fast, reliable broadband to homes and businesses across the UK, originally setting a target of reaching 85% gigabit coverage by 2025 (which South Yorkshire has already achieved and exceeded,) and as close as possible to 100% coverage by 2030. To support this, the Government committed £5 billion to connect hard to reach rural communities across the country through a project known as Project Gigabit.

Project Gigabit is targeting properties across South Yorkshire with the slowest speeds that would have otherwise been left behind by commercial plans, by using government funding to install full fibre infrastructure.

In South Yorkshire, the Project Gigabit infrastructure is being delivered by Quickline Communications. The contract was signed in April 2024, and plans to bring gigabit-capable broadband to approximately 25000 properties.

Click here for more information about where Quickline are planning to build in South Yorkshire.

Latest Project Gigabit update: South Yorkshire Digital Infrastructure Team is supporting the roll out of Project Gigabit through working with the 4 South Yorkshire Local Authorities, residents in the region, Building Digital UK, and the contractors throughout the project. For the latest updates on this check out our social media channels. 

If you have any questions about the rollout of Project Gigabit in South Yorkshire please contact us at sydit@barnsey.gov.uk

1. Check what services are available to your address

 We recommend the following web pages where you can check what broadband services are available to your address:

• View broadband availability – Ofcom broadband coverage checker
• Think Broadband – Check postcode-level broadband performance and coverage

2. If you currently have broadband, check the details of your contract

 If fibre broadband is available to your address, check your current broadband contract and how long it has left to run as you may need to honour this agreement before being able to switch broadband providers. However, if you are still within your contract, most Internet Service Providers (ISP for short) will allow you to upgrade in-contract to a fibre package.

3. Do your research

We cannot advise on the best fibre broadband package for you, or which ISP you should sign up with. But there are many comparison websites that allow you to compare packages. When comparing packages, look out for things like:

• Speed : Check this carefully as some broadband packages can restrict your download/upload speeds in return for a cheaper tariff.
• Usage : Check if your package is unlimited or whether you can only download/upload a limited amount each month; be aware that streaming services can use a lot of data.
• Contract : Check your contract length. Depending on your package this means you will be signing up for between 12 and 24 months.
• Calls : Check if you can combine your broadband package with your telephone service − if you want a landline, you could save money this way, but if you don't use  a landline you could end up paying for a calling plan you don't need.
• Offers : There are lots of incentives on offer from broadband companies to sign up to their products. These could be discounted introductory periods or vouchers for high street stores.

4. Order & arrange install

Your chosen ISP will agree a suitable installation date with you, and will send you a router ahead of the agreed date. 

On installation day, the engineer will need to drill a hole from outside to allow the cable to be fed into your house (if you rent, you'll need permission from your landlord to do this,) and you'll need to keep in mind that your router will need to be installed indoors near this hole and also close to a double plug socket. 

The engineer will run fibre-optic cable either from a nearby utility pole or underground, to a small junction box installed on the external wall where they drilled the hole. From there, a smaller cable will be run inside to a small, powered, wall-mounted unit (called an Optical Network Terminal or ONT,) that the router will be plugged into. 

The router will be connected in to the ONT and plugged into the power socket on the wall, then the engineer will test the connection to ensure your broadband is up and running.

The analogue telephone network using copper cables, known as the public switched telephone network (PSTN,) is being retired in favour of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calling which will use the fibre broadband network to connect calls.

Why is this happening?

 Reliability of the old copper network is in decline because it’s becoming harder for operators to source parts and engineers with the skills needed to maintain the older technologies. Ofcom’s recent Connected Nations report highlighted that the number of incidents on the legacy Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) increased by 45% in 2024, demonstrating the increasing fragility of the network. Further to this, it is not economically feasible for network owners to maintain both the old and new networks side-by-side long term, particularly as users of the old network dwindle.

 What does this mean for me?

Your telephone provider will communicate with you when your address is due to be switched over. If you already have broadband, this will simply mean plugging your landline into your router instead of into the socket on the wall.

If you don't currently have broadband, your network should reach out to you to provide additional support. 

Check out our social media where we'll be sharing any updates we receive from network providers.

Social tariffs

Low-cost broadband and mobile phone packages are available to benefit recipients; these are called social tariffs.

Unfortunately, many people aren't aware these exist and are missing out as a result: according to Ofcom fewer than 10% of eligible households are taking advantage of social tariffs, and the estimated average household saving on these tariffs compared to a standard deal is £150-200 per year.

Features of a broadband social tariff:

• Cheaper than a standard package (social tariffs are mostly in the £15-20 per month range, in contrast to most standard packages costing £35-40 per month)
• Only for recipients of certain benefits - the eligibility details vary by supplier, but suppliers make their criteria clear
• The price should not change once you're signed up: that means no annual price increase in April like you get with many commercial contracts
• No cancellation fees if you choose to leave early, because most social tariffs run as monthly rolling contracts
• No cost to switch to a social tariff with your existing supplier
• Small setup fees (if there are any at all) if you're taking up service for the first time or taking up service with a new supplier

Click here to find up-to-date details of social tariffs available.

Build skills & confidence

If you're struggling with the skills or confidence to use the internet, there are some fantastic training resources available that could help you.

If you'd like to do training in person with someone to guide you:

• Citizens Advice provide "Connect & Learn" courses: 4 week courses taught to small groups, starting from the basics
• Citizens Advice also have digital skills advisors who can provide one-to-one appointments to address a specific knowledge gap or support with a question
• Many local colleges provide free digital skills training - you'll often find the course title references "Essential Digital Skills for Living and Employability" or similar phrasing
• You can join digital skills courses through Job Centre Plus if you're receiving support from them
• Some libraries host digital skills courses - ask in your local library if they can help
• The National Digital Inclusion Network through the Good Things Foundation has an interactive map where you can find local training providers.

If you'd like to do training on your own online (or would like to find resources to help you teach someone you know):

• Learn My Way is a great website with a range of free digital skills training modules at a range of levels.
• Barclays Digital Wings is another website where you can sign up to a range of free digital skills modules at a range of levels.
• Google's Applied Digital Skills provides free, video-based lessons.

Digital Inclusion Charities

If you're struggling with the cost of a device or connectivity, there are charities that can help:

• The Good Things Foundation runs both the National Databank and the National Device Bank – these are like food banks but provide digital devices and SIM cards with data. Use their interactive map to find your nearest Digital Inclusion hub – that's where you can go to request assistance!
• All O2 stores and many Virgin Money branches are able to provide free SIM cards from Virgin Media O2 via the National Databank.
• Many local authority community teams, libraries, and family hubs are also able to provide free SIM cards from the National Databank.
• Citizens Advice branches are also able to provide free SIM cards from the National Databank.
• Aspire Sheffield is a community-based company that sells low-cost refurbished computers, laptops, and phones.
• National loneliness charity WaveLength donates radios, televisions, laptops, tablets, and phones to people who are very isolated.