The BDUK Connection Voucher Scheme provides financial support of up to £3,000 for SME’s to upgrade their internet access to Superfast Connectivity.
Small businesses can now benefit from a £100m pot of government funded money to connect them to better quality high speed broadband. The scheme is part of the government’s wider ‘Superfast Britain’ programme of work which is transforming the UK’s communication infrastructure. Around 88% of the country will have access to Superfast Broadband by December 2015 and the roll out of the Connection Voucher Scheme to a further 28 new cities in April 2015 means they will be on target to reach 99% of premises by 2018.
You can apply for grants of up to £3,000 to cover the costs of installing faster and better broadband with increased reliability. It will benefit small and medium enterprise, helping cities to create and attract new jobs and investment as part of the government’s ambition to make the UK the best place in Europe to do business.
The scheme is open until March 2016 and vouchers are available on a first come, first served basis.
How are the vouchers used?
• The vouchers are used to cover or help cover the cost of installing your superfast broadband access and required equipment for connection.
Upgraded broadband speed requirements
• To upgrade to a high grade business line, a dedicated private line, it must offer a minimum speed of 20Mb and be upgradeable to at least 30Mb.
• Next generation access (NGA), like fibre broadband, must offer a minimum speed of 30MB.
• The connection must be at least a doubling of your current internet connectivity compared to your current connection, unless you are changing from a NGA connection to a high grade line.
Who is eligible?
• SME’s with employees of 1-249
• With an annual turnover of no more than £37.1 million
• A balance sheet of no more than £31.9 million
• Your business must reside in one of the Super Connected Regions – see postcode checker above.
• If your premises is within a multi tenanted building you must gain the landlords permission in order to proceed with the work
• You have not received more than £148,503 in public funding in the past 3 years.
