Time is running out to claim your free £3,000 grant

Businesses across Brighton & Hove have been taking full advantage of the Connection Voucher Scheme – a free hand-out from the government to help companies with equipment and installation (or upgrade) to a faster internet connection.

This £3,000 can go a long way. For example, The Iron Duke Hotel in Hove used their voucher to claim almost £3,000 for top of the range Cisco Wi-Fi equipment that has allowed their guests to get a faster and more robust internet connection. A case study is available on this Connection Voucher Scheme success story.

However from 2^nd February, companies who wish to upgrade to fibre broadband AND utilise the full £3,000 may have difficulties in doing so. A recent government communication to all approved suppliers on the scheme read:

Effective from 2nd Feb, the standard maximum voucher contribution to high-end FTTC deployments will be £800. Accordingly, from the 2nd Feb, all cities will be advised not to routinely approve FTTC-based quotes which seek a voucher contribution in excess of this benchmark number.

This means that businesses wishing to upgrade to a fibre broadband product, will only be able to claim up to £800 instead of £3,000. Although still a sizeable amount, it is some way off the original voucher value.

OptaNet are working with businesses across the city to make sure that they submit their requests before the cut-off date, even if their connection date is later in the year. If you would like to know how you can take advantage of this scheme, please email sales@optanet.com or call 01273 666 881.

The scheme will continue to run until March 2015, when it will open up to additional cities across the UK and close in March 2016. More information is available here on the Connection Voucher Scheme

Blog by Nicholas Sheppard at Optanet

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