Broadband: South Shropshire MP calls for residents and businesses to apply for gigabit broadband vouchers
Homeowners and businesses across South Shropshire are being urged by Stuart Anderson MP to apply for funding to cover the costs of a gigabit-capable broadband connection.
The MP has reported that gigabit broadband availability stands at just 42 per cent in South Shropshire, compared to 78.5 per cent nationally.
Up to £210 million was made available by the previous government to help communities with the cost of connecting, however Anderson has said that only a third of those eligible in South Shropshire have applied, and that more than 4,900 premises in 12 villages are yet to do so, according to Shropshire Council.
The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) provides a grant of up to £1,500 for residents and up to £3,500 for businesses towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband through local community broadband projects.
The South Shropshire MP stated that more than 108,00 vouchers have been used to connect rural homes and businesses with fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband.
Openreach is aiming to build a new network in Shropshire across Claverley, Clee Hill, Cressage, Little Brampton, Lydbury North, Morville, Norton, Quatt, Stottesdon, Uppington, Upton Magna and Worfield, according to the MP.
Anderson is appealing for residents to check their eligibility and pledge their interest in the vouchers that are being funded as part of Project Gigabit - a £5 billion fund that was launched in 2021 to roll out gigabit-capable broadband to premises across the UK that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans "so that rural communities are not left behind".
The programme is scheduled to run until 2030, and homes and businesses that meet criertia can use vouchers to support the cost of installing new gigabit-capable connections when part of a group project.
Criteria
- Existing available broadband download speeds are less than 100Mbps
- A gigabit-capable network isn’t likely to be built to that area commercially in the near future
- There is no government-funded contract planned or in place to improve your network already
'I would urge residents to apply'
South Shropshire MP, Stuart Anderson said: "As of April 2024, 81 per cent of UK premises now have a gigabit-capable connection - a huge leap forwards from just 6 per cent in January 2019.
"Yet, more needs to be done in rural areas. So, I was pleased that the last government made up to £210 million in vouchers supporting the installation of gigabit-capable broadband at homes and businesses in areas such as ours. In Shropshire, only a third of those eligible have applied - meaning 4,900 are yet to do so. Given the rapidly growing importance of digital connectivity in both our work and personal lives, I would urge residents to apply for the help available."