Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS)

This programme is provided by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

The Government believes full fibre networks are the future and that getting ready for a gigabit speed is a key step for most businesses. Optical fibre-based networks are faster, more reliable, easier to upgrade and set the standard for connectivity. Demand for greater and greater digital connectivity in terms of speed and reliability is expected to grow exponentially in future years.

The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) is part of a government plan to get more businesses connected to full fibre broadband. It will provide vouchers for small or medium-sized firms to help with the costs of connecting to the service.

The Government is providing up to £210 million worth of voucher funding as immediate help for people experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas.

The maximum voucher value for a SME beneficiary is £3,500 and the minimum value is £500.

Vouchers will support the capital costs of delivering a new gigabit capable connection to a business premises. The new connection must have a minimum speed of 100mbps and represent at least a doubling of speed compared to the service the business currently has.

Support is only available through a supplier who is registered with the scheme.

The scheme will be open until all available funding has been allocated.

More details are available here

The scheme is open to qualifying small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas across the UK.

Vouchers are available to customers of broadband suppliers who have registered for the scheme.