Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme

Full fibre networks are the future and getting ready for a gigabit speed is a key step for most businesses.

The government is committed to delivering lightning-fast, reliable broadband across the UK.

Project Gigabit is the government’s £5 billion programme that targets hard-to-reach areas where it is more difficult and more expensive to build digital infrastructure. The majority of the rollout will come through local and regional contracts, providing subsidies to suppliers to extend their gigabit-capable networks to premises that are unlikely to be reached otherwise.

The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) is part of Project Gigabit, focused on helping specific people and communities upgrade their broadband connection. It mainly operates in areas where there is no coverage of a Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) by a Project Gigabit procurement or contract.

Eligible homes and businesses can apply for up to £4,500 to cover the costs of a gigabit-capable connection.

For more information visit the Gov.uk website.

What is a 'gigabit' connection?

The UK has a wide coverage for superfast broadband (classed as speeds of 24 megabits per second or higher). However, most superfast connections still depend on limiting copper telephone wires.

For the fastest and most reliable broadband, capable of delivering gigabit speeds, a full fibre connection is required.

Gigabit-speed internet (also called ultra-high-speed internet) offers users much faster upload and download speeds. One gigabit is the same as 1,000 megabits: a huge leap forward in connection speeds that could benefit you and your business into the future.

You can check your existing connection speed online.