SMBs Can Claim a £2,500 Voucher for a Gigabit Internet Connection
June 8, 2022
|
4
min read
Highlights
At Optimity, we’ve been helping London’s thriving businesses to empower themselves and boost productivity with powerful internet connections. Right now, companies can apply to do these things with us at a lower cost than usual.
The government has committed to making internet connections faster across the UK. Their vision involves a full fibre roll-out, and to help get this going they’ve set up the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. This lets small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs) claim a voucher worth up to £2,500 which they can use towards the cost of installing a gigabit internet connection.
We’re a supplier of the Scheme and we’re going to tell you how the voucher works, the benefits of having a gigabit connection and why you should apply for a voucher with us.
What is the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme?
The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme was announced by the government in March 2018. It’s part of the Local Full Fibre Networks programme which launched in late 2017. The Scheme lets businesses apply for a voucher which grants them up to £2,500 towards the cost of installing a gigabit broadband connection.
How Does the Voucher Work?
We’re a registered supplier of the Scheme which means you can apply for a voucher with us. We’ll contact the government and request a voucher for you. The government will then get in touch with you to confirm you’re happy to go ahead with your application.
Next, we’ll begin installing your connection and let the government know when we’re done. Finally, they’ll ask you to confirm everything’s working and may make some final background checks before they pay.
What is a Gigabit Connection?
Right now, the UK has 95% coverage for broadband with speeds of 24 megabits per second or higher. But many of these connections depend on a copper telephone wire which can only support a limited speed.
One gigabit is equal to 1,000 megabits. To get those speeds, you’ll need a full fibre connection. Full fibre also supports symmetrical connections, giving you matching upload and download speeds.
Why Apply with Optimity?
There are lots of reasons why we’re the right supplier for you. With us, you get:
- Matching upload and download speeds – no slowdowns or buffering
- Your own dedicated, uncontended full fibre connection
- Flexibility with a range of speeds from 100Mbps up to 10Gbps+
- 24/7 UK support
- A dedicated account manager
Am I Eligible for a Voucher?
Before you apply, you need to check you’re eligible for a voucher. The Scheme is only open to small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs). The government defines SMBs as companies with under 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than €50 million.
You can’t have had more than the allowed amount of de minimis aid in the last three years. Also, if you already have an internet connection that’s capable of 1Gbps, you can’t apply. You can read the full terms and conditions.
How Do I Apply?
Applying for a voucher with us is simple. Just go to this page and tell us a bit about yourself.
Tell us about yourself so we can serve you best.
Got a question?
More articles
For many landlords and building managers, the word “wayleave” feels like the responsible route whenever a fibre circuit is being installed on their property. It sounds formal and safe – a neat legal box to tick.
In many cases, however, a wayleave adds unnecessary complexity and delays, frustrates tenants, and can expose landlords to long-term legal risks.
At Vorboss, we’ve connected thousands of office spaces across London without a wayleave, keeping landlords in full control and getting tenants online faster.
What is a wayleave?
A wayleave is a written agreement between a landowner and a telecoms operator. It gives the operator permission to install and keep equipment on private property.
What many people don’t realise is that signing a wayleave also activates “Code rights” under the Electronic Communications Code. These rights go beyond simple permission, they give the operator legal powers to stay on the property indefinitely, access it when needed, and even refuse removal of their equipment in certain situations.
For a typical connection into a commercial building in London, a wayleave can make the fibre installation process slower, more expensive, and limit the landlord’s flexibility long term.
Why a wayleave isn’t required for standard in-building fibre connections
For a standard in-building fibre connection serving a tenant, a wayleave isn’t a legal requirement. Important protections, like building access, fire safety, repairing any damage, and removing equipment, are already covered by the tenant’s lease and usual building rules.
If no wayleave is signed, no Code rights are triggered, meaning the landlord retains full control and the installation exists under a simple, fully revocable licence.
In practice, this gives landlords far more protection and flexibility:
- No legal lock-in – the telecoms operator has no long-term rights to stay or refuse removal.
- Landlords keep full control – equipment can be moved or removed when the building changes.
- Faster fibre installation – no time lost in drafting contracts or solicitor reviews.
- Happier tenants – connections go live quicker; tenants get to move in faster.
By contrast, signing a wayleave and granting Code rights introduces a complex and expensive legal process for any fibre removal or relocation. This can take at least 18 months, plus potential court or tribunal proceedings, making it slower, and far less flexible for the landlord.
Public services across central London are evolving, and the City of London Corporation is leading the way.
Whether you work, live or study in the Square Mile, you’ll soon feel the difference that faster, more dependable connectivity brings.
What is the Future Network Programme?
The City of London Corporation is rolling out the Future Network Programme, a major project to modernise its entire digital infrastructure and bring everything under one unified network.
From offices and schools to iconic green spaces like Hampstead Heath, cultural destinations like the Barbican, and historic markets such as Leadenhall and Old Spitalfields, this upgrade will mean more reliable connectivity across the City’s buildings and public spaces.
It also extends to essential services, including critical sites run by the City of London Police. This enhanced connectivity will support everything from secure communication systems to faster, more resilient networks for emergency operations.
Leading this transformation is Roc Technologies, supported by Juniper Networks and Palo Alto Networks; all powered by the Vorboss fibre network. Together, we’re bringing the City onto a modern digital foundation that’s ready to support its future.
Who the Future Network Programme benefits and how?
The programme is designed for everyone who depends on public services in the Square Mile:
- Students in City-run schools will have fast, reliable connectivity to fully access digital learning tools.
- Public-sector teams will experience smoother hybrid working, better access to online platforms, and more efficient collaboration across locations.
- Residents and visitors will see improvements in public Wi-Fi, digital services, and online access in libraries, community hubs, and other shared spaces.
- The City of London Police will gain a more secure, faster and resilient network that enhances CCTV reliability and enables more effective frontline operations.
.avif)
.avif)
