Homes and businesses in rural areas of the Borough may be eligible for funding towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband when part of a group scheme.
Gigabit-capable broadband connections offer the fastest and most reliable speeds available.
Rural premises with broadband speeds of less than 100Mbps can use vouchers worth £1,500 per home and up to £3,500 for each small to medium-sized business (SME) to support the cost of installing new fast and reliable connections.
Who is Eligible?
- Homes and businesses with broadband speeds of less than 100Mbps can use vouchers to support the cost of installing new gigabit-capable connections when part of a group scheme.
- Group projects are when two or more residents and/or SMEs get together to combine their vouchers towards the shared cost of installation. Single connections are not eligible for additional funding.
- New connections should double your current speed but must be at least 30Mbps.
- ‘Rural’ is defined using agreed standard measures in the relevant part of the UK. For the gigabit voucher premises in the following areas will be defined as rural: Northern Ireland – NISRA definitions E – H
Please use postcode checker to see if you are in a rural area. The search will list suppliers that are active in your area.
Click here to check your postcode.
Business Eligibility
In addition, in order to qualify for a business voucher you will be asked to self-certify that you meet the European Commission definition of an SME whereby your business has:
- Up to 249 employees (in total in the organisation) and turnover no greater than €50m per annum, and/or
- A balance sheet of no more than €43m
- You will also have to self-certify that you have received less than €200k in public grants in the last 3 years – the de minimis limit.
- You will be asked to provide evidence of your status as a SME or sole trader.
The closing date is February 21st 2021.
Find out more about the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme here.
