What is Go Digital and why do I need it?

Go Digital Newcastle aims to make faster and more reliable broadband available to everyone in Newcastle, making our city one of the best connected cities in the UK. Newcastle City Council is leading this campaign to make sure everyone has access to better broadband and digital technology.

The council has secured funding to invest in upgrading our broadband infrastructure, which could offer much faster internet connection speeds up to 24mbps (megabits per second) known as superfast broadband. In comparison, current ADSL broadband, which is delivered through the traditional copper telephone line, has average speeds of between 1 to 10Mbps.

We’re also looking at better wi-fi access and wireless provision across the city, as well as the provision of ultrafast broadband, which can provide even faster internet speeds of up to 300mbps (megabits per second).

Why do you need it?

Residents

From communicating with family and friends to entertainment, shopping, online gaming, high speed broadband will transform the way we use the internet at home. Benefits include:

  • Improved speed and a more reliable and stable connection for multiple internet connected devices
  • Share photos and HD videos on the internet in seconds
  • Access free world-wide phone/HD video calls via the Internet
  • Download music and movie in seconds, a music track in about two seconds, a whole music album in about thirty seconds or a full HD movie in about ten minutes
  • A much better online gaming experience
  • Faster, more reliable online transactions
  • Better access to education and training tools
  • Improved access to employment opportunities via online job adverts
  • Opportunities for more flexible working, reducing travel and commuting

Businesses

High speed broadband can revolutionise access to information and help transform Newcastle’s economy by helping businesses develop new products and services, reach new markets and improve efficiency. Benefits include:

  • Download web pages in seconds, carry out multiple tasks online simultaneously and increase productivity and competitiveness
  • Increased opportunities for business-to-business collaboration through HD video calls, ability to share photos and videos in seconds
  • Improved web presence will allow better access to global markets and business opportunities
  • Improved access to Cloud computing enabling organisations to reduce infrastructure costs and work more effectively
  • Development of the knowledge based economy
  • Opportunities for more flexible working, reducing business travel and commuting
  • Improved access to education and training for employees
  • Opportunities for growth through access to new markets and business opportunities across the world