Lovells

Lovells has advised Thales UK, the successful contractor, in connection with the South Yorkshire Digital Region broadband project.  The deal was concluded with Digital Region Limited, on behalf of the four South Yorkshire local authorities (Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster) and the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, who together have attracted European, regional, local and private investment of over £90 million.  

The South Yorkshire Digital Region project is designed to bring next-generation broadband services to households, businesses and public sector organisations in the South Yorkshire region.  The network infrastructure to be provided by Thales UK will provide a level of broadband access over a large geographical area.  When the network is complete, "super-fast broadband" will provide a high-speed, open-access infrastructure, offering 25mb or above of guaranteed bandwidth and quality of service to the majority of homes and businesses in South Yorkshire, reaching 1.2 million people.  The provision of this level of broadband service will transform the region, creating inward economic and social investment to bridge the growing digital divide. 

The first customers are likely to access the new broadband network in each of the four local authority areas later this year.   

The European investment in Digital Region is delivered through the regional ERDF Programme, which was approved in December 2007 and launched in February 2008.  The Programme is managed by Yorkshire Forward on behalf of a regional partnership including the National Government, the European Commission and Regional bodies.  The Programme provides €583 million from the European Regional Development Fund to invest in the region by 2013 with €271 million for South Yorkshire and €312 million for the rest of the region.  

Thales has let sub-contracts with Alcatel-Lucent and KCOM Group plc in order to deliver the project.  

Lovells Team  

The Lovells team was led by Scott Tindall, a Senior Associate in the firm's Infrastructure and Project Finance practice.  The deal team also included Partner Andrew Briggs, Of Counsel Rosemary Miller, Senior Associates Florian Agnel and Emma Clarke and Associates Charles Ford, Patricia Ferguson and Oliver Jackson.  

Speaking today, Scott Tindall said:       

"In the current climate of economic uncertainty, it is great to be involved in such an interesting and important project, which offers enormous benefits to the people and businesses of South Yorkshire.  The unprecedented size of the project, the unusually complex nature of the contracts and the wide range of funding sources used means that it is genuinely a landmark deal.  We're delighted to have been part of the process and we're looking forward to working with Thales on other similar projects in the near future."  

London Partner Andrew Briggs added:           

"The digital region transaction is of strategic importance to Lovells' Infrastructure practice, as it demonstrates our continued presence at the cutting edge of high value, complex and innovative infrastructure development.  We were also delighted to continue our relationship with Thales, with whom we have worked on a number of complex PFI and infrastructure transactions."   

Digital Region Limited was advised by DLA Piper LLP and Yorkshire Forward was advised by Hammonds LLP.

About Lovells  

With over 3,000 people operating from 26 offices in Asia, Europe and the United States, Lovells is one of the world's leading international law firms. We advise many of the world's largest corporations, financial institutions and governmental organisations.  We regularly act on complex, multi jurisdictional transactions as well as some of the most high profile commercial disputes.  Lovells (the "firm") is an international legal practice comprising Lovells LLP and its affiliated businesses.  Lovells LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC323639.  Registered office and principal place of business: Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2FG.  

The word "partner" is used to refer to a member of Lovells LLP, or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications, and to a partner, member, employee or consultant in any of its affiliated businesses who has equivalent standing. 

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