The Digital Mid Sussex Connected Region has been recognised as one of "the most significant and innovative organisations, solutions, and programmes that are shaping Britain's digital future".
The Connected Britain Awards has shortlisted the multi-million pound project in its Project Rollout Award category as part of the Britain Connected conference held last month in London's Business Design Centre.
Mid Sussex District Council together with Brighton and Hove City Council and West Sussex County Council, led the programme in collaboration with Crawley Borough Council and Horsham District Council.
It involved laying fibre optic cables in underground ducting across the district to bring full-fibre services to the community.
Innovatively, any internet company can have open access which will make it easy and cost-effective for them to deliver services across the area, stimulating competition and leading to a wide choice of excellent value, full-fibre digital options. The programme also adopted a 'Dig Once' policy, which means, wherever possible, the new fibre was installed when there was a need to dig up the road for other reasons minimising inconvenience.
Mid Sussex Council Leader, Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, said: "One of the top three reasons businesses choose an area is for its connectivity – and we are delighted to have been nominated for this award, which recognises the realisation of our ambition to provide faster digital connectivity and gigabit capable broadband across the Mid Sussex economy.
"Businesses have been able to reduce costs by switching to online services and new avenues of communication have opened up. They are now competing on a level footing with businesses on a national and international level, for there are few other places in the UK which have the same spine network – other than big cities like Liverpool, Greater Manchester and Tyneside."
Work began in 2020 with a fibre loop around Burgess Hill, connecting to WSCC's new fibre "spine" northwards to Crawley and Horsham and also southwards to Brighton via the council's extended spine including some branches into rural areas.
This means the area's business hubs, residents, key places, Brighton and Gatwick and the region's universities are all connected on a regional level and then directly to the global network via sub-sea cables from Brighton.
Cllr Ash-Edwards added: "Of course, Mid Sussex has many other benefits which attract investment and new businesses, including skilled residents, affordable homes, leisure facilities and access to beautiful open space and heritage sites.
"In addition, Burgess Hill, including the Science and Technology Park, is being regenerated by Mid Sussex District Council as a focal neighbourhood for innovation to attract economic growth while enhancing wellbeing and value for residents, businesses and stakeholders.
"Based on the 20-minute neighbourhood theory, this is a long-term approach that, in tandem with the founding of the world-leading science park, will reinvigorate Burgess Hill town centre with a retail mix, highly-skilled jobs, affordable homes, a community and outstanding quality of life.
"Excellence in connectivity is just the beginning."
Click here for more information about Digital Mid Sussex and to register interest in being connected to the network.