Hampshire County Council is encouraging businesses across the county to sign up to a new scheme which will give them access to gigabit, also known as ‘hyperfast’, broadband.
Small and medium sized enterprises can now apply for up to £3,000 through a Government Gigabit Voucher Scheme to install and connect to a faster, more reliable and more robust broadband connection.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Roy Perry, said “High quality digital connectivity is critical for both Hampshire businesses, as well as private individuals.
“In an age when a vast amount of business interaction is done online, from order management to customer communications, cloud storage to cyber security – fast, reliable broadband is vital.
“This voucher scheme is a great opportunity for Hampshire businesses to future-proof their digital capability and prosper in today’s fast-paced economic environment. It’s important that businesses apply as soon as possible before the deadline of March 2021 – or more urgently, before the available funding has been allocated.”
Practical, every day benefits of gigabit broadband include the ability for businesses to share and store large files, use voice and video conferencing with confidence and operate more efficiently.
Residents who work from home can also benefit from the Gigabit Voucher scheme to boost their productivity. While businesses can claim up to £3,000 against the cost of a gigabit connection, people living nearby can also claim for a £500 voucher if they are part of a group bid that includes a business.
To find out more, including details on how to apply, visit this page on the Hampshire Superfast Broadband website – www.hampshiresuperfastbroadband.com/alternative-solutions/gigabit-broadband-voucher-scheme/
The Hampshire Superfast Broadband programme is on track to reach 97.4% of premises with superfast broadband in the county by the end of 2019. The Gigabit Voucher Scheme complements this programme by reaching out to even more businesses in Hampshire to increase high-speed internet access in the region.
Councillor Perry added “In Hampshire, we have done what we can to help by investing in improving broadband connectivity for local people and by next year, will have invested £12.9 million, increasing coverage to 97.4% of Hampshire properties. However, despite this significant investment, I am disappointed that the telecommunication companies are still only currently providing 95% superfast connectivity for the county despite the ever growing need for increased internet speeds.”
Currently, there is a mixture of standard, superfast and ultrafast broadband speeds (more than 100Mbps) available to Hampshire businesses and residents.
