Businesses in Aberdeenshire could now benefit from UK Government grants of up to £3,000 to get gigabit broadband installed as part of a £2m trial taking place in four areas around the UK.
Suppliers will be offering vouchers worth between £500 and £3,000 each to local businesses which can then be used to pay for the installation of gigabit speed connections. The aim of the pilots is to encourage the market to extend full fibre infrastructure in the UK by increasing demand and reducing the cost to customers.
The many benefits of a full fibre full fibre gigabit connection include:
- allowing businesses to upload and download massive files in a matter of seconds
- enabling widespread use of videoconferencing throughout an organisation
- providing an unprecedented level of reliability whilst greatly enhancing resilience
- future proofing - making sure that businesses have the technology in place to deal with the ever increasing demands for internet speed and connectivity
- allowing businesses in remote communities to compete on a technologically level playing field with those companies based in major cities who may already have full fibre connectivity
Minister for Digital Matt Hancock said: “Top notch broadband is essential to compete in the modern world. Faster and more reliable connections are transforming the way we live and work, and better broadband supports businesses to grow and become more productive. So we're introducing gigaspeed vouchers to help businesses of britain get connected to the next generation of broadband technology. This is testament to our ambitions for full fibre infrastructure across the UK to underpin our digital economy.”
Four areas across the UK have been carefully selected to test the market conditions and infrastructure conditions we aim to help to create through the wider Local Full Fibre Network programme. The areas are:
- Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
- Bristol, with Bath and North East Somerset
- Coventry and Warwickshire
- West Yorkshire Combined Authorities (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield and York)
Cllr Jim Gifford, leader of Aberdeenshire Council and chair of the City Region Deal Joint Committee, said: “The North-east has for too long suffered from poor digital infrastructure despite above average uptake rates of firstly broadband services and more recently, superfast broadband services. Participation in this initiative gives us an ideal springboard to deliver a step change in the availability and affordability of world-class infrastructure and services and an enhanced ability to deliver cost effective services in the public sector. The new infrastructure will make the region an even more attractive location to invest and work, adding digital connectivity to our strengths.”
This programme comes as part of the UK government’s £23bn National Productivity Investment Fund aimed at improving productivity, which is key to raising living standards. This fund has already earmarked £740m specifically for improving Britain’s digital infrastructure, ensuring the UK is match-fit for the future.
In order to take part in the scheme, suppliers must be registered and must be able to demonstrate that they are genuinely able to provide the high quality connectivity the Scheme aims to support. If you think you meet these criteria in the areas where the test is taking place, contact: www.gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk.