What is the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme?

Posted by Pall Mall Estates on 9th June 2020 -

Has your business been looking at the quality of its internet connectivity in recent months? You might not know that you can get financial support from the Government to improve your connectivity through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.

The scheme is part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport’s Local Full Fibre Networks Programme, designed to grant growing businesses up to £2,500 towards the cost of installing new fibre internet connections.

The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme has already proven to be extremely popular nationwide, with some £58 million of the £67 million ring-fenced by the Government already committed.

Businesses can access the scheme via a registered gigabit broadband supplier. The supplier will request a voucher from the Government, who will verify the installation. The supplier then gets to work with delivering your new gigabit broadband connection. In some instances, the Government will carry out additional checks to your business and service before releasing the grant.

In a bid to improve gigabit broadband connectivity for businesses in Wales, the UK and Welsh Governments have partnered to enable Welsh firms to obtain vouchers worth up to £5,500 for installations. The increased grants reflect the increased costs of deploying fibre connectivity in Wales, due largely to the nation’s topography and the location of some business premises.

In general, the scheme is available to all UK-based businesses with fewer than 250 employees. Your business must also have a balance sheet of less than €43 million and a turnover of less than €50 million. Connection costs must exceed £500 and your business cannot have received over €200,000 in state aid during the previous three years.

Benefit from the Rural Gigabit Voucher Scheme too

SMEs in the hardest-to-reach rural areas of the country are also eligible for grants via the Rural Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. The £200m fund is designed to provide pure-fibre connectivity to businesses located outside of the major towns and cities where the infrastructure for gigabit broadband already exists.

Businesses can receive up to £3,500 (excluding VAT) to cover the cost of rural installations. Firms are only eligible if they currently receive 30Mb per second or lower on their current connection.

Tenants of commercial properties owned and managed by Pall Mall Estates can expect access to highly competitive broadband speeds. We’ve invested heavily in the infrastructure of our business space through the years, providing environments for businesses to thrive in all sectors.

Enquire about our low-cost, high-value business space today

If your business needs bigger workspace to take the next step, we’re here to provide flexible properties to let across the UK. As a customer-focussed landlord, we’re passionate about providing value for money for all our tenants. Our dedicated team of property professionals can work with you to pinpoint the most suitable available space within our portfolio.

With over 4 million sq ft of commercial property available to lease on flexible terms, get in touch with us today on 020 8108 7326 or complete our online enquiry form to outline your requirements and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.