Businesses benefit from scheme to aid superfast broadband connection

Firms in north Nottinghamshire are among almost 100 businesses across the county to have benefited from a scheme which enables them to claim up to £3,000 off the cost of installing superfast broadband.
A Generic Photo of person using a computer keyboard. See PA Feature HEALTH Sweating. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature HEALTH Sweating.A Generic Photo of person using a computer keyboard. See PA Feature HEALTH Sweating. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature HEALTH Sweating.
A Generic Photo of person using a computer keyboard. See PA Feature HEALTH Sweating. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature HEALTH Sweating.

The Connection Voucher Scheme is a government-funded initiative which gives businesses money off the cost of installing superfast broadband and accessing speed of more than30Mbps.

Previously, the scheme was only available in the City of Nottingham, Broxtowe, Gedling, Rushcliffe and Hucknall areas.

But following an approach by the county council to the Government, the scheme was extended to include businesses in Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood districts as well as the whole of Arnold.

Any small to medium-sized business – including home workers, social enterprises, sole traders and landlords – can apply to the scheme to fund the capital costs of upgrading broadband connections.

Businesses can choose a provider from more than 600 registered suppliers in the UK.

A report to the county council’s policy committee last week said that over 95 businesses in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have already received help connecting to superfast broadband through the scheme.

The news that the whole of the county can now benefit from the scheme has already been well-received amongst the business community.

The Connection Voucher Scheme is administered hy Nottingham City Council.

Applying for the grant is very easy. Interested parties can visit www.connectionvouchers.co.uk/city/nottingham to check their business postcode and get started.

In accessing the scheme, businesses pay the VAT charge and the monthly line rental to their service provider.

While monthly costs vary by provider and package, a quarter of businesses pay £40 per month or less.

To find out more details about the voucher scheme, visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/connectionvouchers

For more information about the Better Broadband for Nottinghamshire scheme and availability of fibre broadband in your area, visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/broadband