Register for this scheme
This scheme is provided by Building Digital UK
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 in rural areas upgrade their broadband connection. It mainly operates in areas where there is no existing coverage, planned commercial coverage or through Project Gigabit procurements.
Eligible homes and businesses can apply for up to £4,500 to cover the costs of a gigabit-capable connection.
Check below if you may be eligible for a voucher.
Who is eligible?
Homes and businesses in rural locations which meet the following criteria can use vouchers to support the cost of installing new gigabit-capable connections when part of a group project.
- existing available broadband download speeds are less than 100Mbps
- a gigabit-capable network isn’t likely to be built to that area commercially in the near future
- there is no government-funded contract planned or in place to improve your network already
Group projects are when two or more residents and/or eligible businesses get together to combine their vouchers towards the shared cost of installation. Single connections are not eligible for the scheme. Projects will also be subject to BDUK commercial and value for money assessments.
Your new connection speed must reach:
- at least double your existing speed if your current speed is less than 50Mbps
- at least 100Mbps if your current speed is more than 50Mbps
Business eligibility
In order to qualify for a business voucher you will be asked to self-certify that you are a Small or Medium size Enterprise (SME), as defined by sections 465 to 467 of the Companies Act 2006 which can be summarised as:
- up to 249 employees and annual turnover no greater than £36 million; and/or
- an annual balance sheet total not exceeding £18 million
You will be asked to provide evidence of your status as a SME or sole trader. You will also have to self-certify that the organisation will have received less than €325,000 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) in public grants over any period of three fiscal years including the current year, including the voucher contribution.
The Special Drawing Rights amount has replaced the €200,000 de minimis grant limit following the UK’s exit from the European Union on the 31st December 2020. The SDR to GBP exchange rate can be found here.
Not-for-profit and charitable undertakings which qualify as SMEs are eligible in the same way that for-profit enterprises are.