The government anticipates that up to 20% of homes and businesses in the UK may not get upgraded by commercial investment by 2030 and to upgrade these will require some public subsidy funding support. They have therefore set up the £5 Billion Project Gigabit Programme which includes procurements and alternative solutions such as the voucher scheme and is being managed by Building Digital UK (BDUK), part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Procurements
The Government has already signed more than 30 Project Gigabit contracts with suppliers to deliver gigabit-capable broadband across the nation in the next few years. Most Surrey homes and businesses that are not included in commercial plans are likely to be considered for eligibility and possible inclusion in a contract.
Gigabit Voucher Scheme
In a few instances, the Government may determine that the Gigabit Voucher Scheme, which enables eligible homes and businesses to work together as a community with a supplier and apply for voucher funding of up to £4,500 each towards the cost of getting full fibre infrastructure, would be the more appropriate solution. Please note that the Gigabit Voucher Scheme is currently paused across Surrey.
For more information on Project Gigabit, please visit the government's Project Gigabit (GOV.UK) page or the map on ThinkBroadband that shows current Project Gigabit contract data.
