SME broadband connection voucher launched throughout North Yorkshire

Connecting to the online market just came a whole lot easier for small to medium sized businesses in the Harrogate district, as they can now access a grant of up to £3k for the cost of upgrading to better quality, high speed broadband.

Within the next five years, it is believed the average UK business will need 10 times their current bandwidth, thus meaning that high speed broadband is fastly becoming an essential part of businesses.

Funded through the Government’s ‘Super Connected Cities’ programme, the broadband connection voucher scheme will aid organisations in paying the upfront capital costs of a faster, better and more stable broadband connection to their premises.

Therefore, these businesses will be able to offer customers improved service, increased reliability, and transform daily operations.

The voucher will pay for the installation cost of the broadband connection from £100 to £3k. Businesses can receive a larger overall grant, but only if applicants apply as a group and combine the overall value of their vouchers to improve a connection to a shared building, street or business park.

Successful applicants can then choose an ‘off the shelf’ package from a number of suppliers in the region who are supporting the scheme, or get their own quote from a broadband supplier.

Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said: “The broadband connection voucher scheme is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to upgrade their broadband and future proof themselves for the digital challenges of tomorrow.

“Faster, better broadband is essential for business success and can benefit organisations in a number of ways. It can help businesses to grow and access new markets through better communication with customers and suppliers; security can be enhanced through fast back-up of data; productivity can be increased and customer service improved through faster upload and download speeds.

“It can have a positive impact on customer confidence, help businesses save money and also drive growth - not just for individual businesses, but across the Harrogate district. Harrogate Borough Council are proud to be involved in this worthwhile scheme and I look forward to seeing how it can help to boost the district’s burgeoning economy.”