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Project Gigabit

More than one million hard to reach homes and businesses will have next generation gigabit broadband built to them in the first phase of a £5 billion government infrastructure project.

Government launches new £5bn 'Project Gigabit'

More than one million hard to reach homes and businesses will have next generation gigabit broadband built to them in the first phase of a £5 billion government infrastructure project.

Berkshire is included in Phase 2.  The Public Review was closed on 5th March 2022.

Please follow links for further information:

GIGAHUBS

GigaHubs are part of ‘Project Gigabit’, the UK government’s £5bn national mission to deliver lightning-fast, reliable broadband for everyone in the UK.

Over the next 3 years, up to £110m of government funding will be invested into providing gigabit connectivity to up to 7,000 rural public sector buildings including schools, GP surgeries, libraries and other public buildings. This will deliver a range of benefits, such as enabling clinicians to provide remote video consultations and allowing whole classes of schoolchildren to be online, at once, with no interruptions.

GigaHubs will also bring new fibre right into the heart of communities for the first time, providing ‘hubs’ from which industry can connect surrounding homes and businesses.

The GigaHubs model works by providing funding towards infrastructure build for eligible public sector buildings which meet qualifying criteria set by BDUK and where investment cases are clear.

The benefit of GigaHubs is two-fold:

  1. Providing a gigabit-capable connection to a public building enhances a public service.
  2. The surrounding area may also become increasingly viable for commercial intervention, stimulating the market to build more networks in these areas.

GigaHubs is designed to help organisations who can:

  • provide a list of public sector premises (delivering a public function and with a business justification), in need of improved connectivity, which can then act as a Hub to connect further residential and business premises
  • build a collaboration with other local public sector organisations
  • lead the collaboration group through the GigaHubs stages
  • drive procurement activities for all partner organisations
  • identify a senior leader to act as a local champion, supported by BDUK
  • identify and/or provide additional funding to maximise build numbers
  • procure post-GigaHubs build connectivity services to their own requirements

Gigabit Broadband Vouchers Scheme

The Government is providing up to £210m worth of voucher funding as immediate help for people experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas.

Check your eligibility by using the postcode check on the government's Gigabit Voucher Scheme. A list of suppliers that are active in your area will be shown.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be in a rural area (as classified by DeFRA)
  • Only group projects are allowed (a group being 2 or more residents).
  • Applicants must have current internet speeds below 100Mbps and not currently be gigabit capable

Why gigabit?

Gigabit-capable networks are future proof. They can deliver the connection speeds we need - not only today but far into the future. Getting ready for a gigabit speed with full fibre connections will support increasing demand for:

  • Multiple internet connected devices
  • Cloud storage
  • Film, TV and music streaming
  • Video calls
  • Remote and flexible working

Funding available

  • Up to £1,500 is available per residential premises & £3,500 for small to medium business. Full details can be found here.
  • The voucher is to support the cost of installing new gigabit-capable connections only
  • You must commit to a 12-month contract with your supplier for downloads speeds of at least 30 Mbps through a gigabit-capable connection to get the funding

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