Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Gigibit Broadband Voucher Scheme

Overview

Who is eligible?

Homes and businesses in 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
• the premises are not vacant/unoccupied or derelict and have not been built in the last two years

BDUK makes available to suppliers an indicative list of eligible premises in areas that are open to voucher projects. Suppliers conduct further eligibility checks and are then responsible for developing project proposals and requesting vouchers. 

A project must cover at least two eligible premises, with two or more eligible residents and/or businesses using their vouchers towards the shared cost of installation. Single connections are not eligible for the scheme.  

All projects are subject to BDUK commercial and value for money assessments.

New connection speeds must reach:

• at least double the existing speed if the current speed is less than 50Mbps
• at least 100Mbps if the current speed is more than 50Mbps

Business eligibility

In addition to the above, in order to qualify for a business voucher, beneficiaries  will be asked to self-certify as 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

SME beneficiaries in designated high competition locations, defined by Ofcom as Central London and High Network Reach Areas, must also establish the following to qualify for a voucher:    

The relevant organisation is no larger than a micro-sized company under sections 384A to 384B of the Companies Act 2006 which can be summarised as:

• not more than 10 employees and annual turnover no greater than £632,000; and/or
• an annual balance sheet total not exceeding £316,000

Beneficiaries will be asked to provide evidence of their status as a SME or sole trader and self-certify that the organisation will have received less than £315,000 in public grants over any period of three fiscal years including the current year, including the voucher contribution.

Not-for-profit and charitable undertakings which qualify as SMEs are eligible in the same way that for-profit enterprises are.

Check eligibility

Your area of the UK will usually need to be open to accepting new voucher scheme projects. Visit webpage to check.

If you are not eligible you could still make enquiries with active suppliers listed to see if they have plans to build in your area.

How do the vouchers work?

Businesses or residents that are eligible for gigabit vouchers can access the scheme through one of the named broadband suppliers in the table displayed on webpage.

Voucher funding can only be used through a broadband supplier registered to this scheme as part of a broadband upgrade project shared with your neighbours. A supplier may already be developing a project in your area or they may be able to develop a new project if there is enough demand in your community.

They will need to develop a project proposal to connect you and your neighbours, and then request vouchers on your behalf. Funding is only committed when a voucher requested on your behalf has been approved by the GBVS team, and we have your agreement to our terms and conditions.

Suppliers

To register with the scheme, a supplier must be able to supply gigabit-capable connectivity to customers. Suppliers wishing to register will need to complete an online application form. 

Suppliers can register for the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme on the dedicated supplier platform for the scheme.

Download the GBVS Supplier Terms and Conditions here.