News

16 Mar 2018

£67 million broadband scheme launched

The Government has unveiled a £67 million scheme to help small UK businesses and local community groups fund faster broadband connections.

The nationwide Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) will provide funding for full fibre broadband worth up to £3,000 for a small- or medium-sized business, or £500 for homes in some areas.

The scheme has been trialled across parts of the UK and is now planned to be extended nationally by the end of March.

Currently only 3% of UK premises have access to a full fibre connection but the Government has set a target of reaching 10 million homes and businesses by 2022.

The Country Land and Business Association which has been pressing for a voucher scheme to be launched welcomed the Government’s move.

Rural adviser Libby Batemen said, “This is really good news for rural areas as it means that more remote properties will be able to collaborate to develop fibre networks within their communities.

“We set out the benefits of a voucher scheme in a document to the Government last year and it is great to see that come to fruition.”

Terms of the scheme

• The availability of the scheme in different areas will rely on the broadband supplier and whether they are taking part
• The vouchers can only be used to support the eligible connection costs through broadband suppliers
• Where suppliers are able to provide qualifying connections to single businesses, vouchers will be made available to cover up to £3,000 of eligible costs
• Rural residents may only be able to benefit from the voucher scheme if they are part of a local community group scheme, which must also include small businesses
• Residents and businesses taking part in a group scheme can work together to pool the value of their vouchers but the total value of vouchers used by businesses must always be greater than the value of vouchers taken by residents

For businesses and local community groups interested in requesting a voucher, visit the Government’s website here.

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