Vouchers worth up to £5k to connect homes to superfast internet

Householders and businesses will be able to apply for up to £5,000 each to help them connect to superfast broadband across Scotland.

Two schemes to help people access the internet have been unveiled by the Scottish Government.

People and businesses unable to access superfast broadband as part of the government’s plan for 100 per cent coverage by the end of next year will be eligible for vouchers worth up to £5,000 to connect to the internet in other ways, such as mobile wifi.

The Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme will provide funding of up to £5,000 to help homes and businesses not in scope of either Reaching 10 per cent (R100) contracts or planned commercial investment to install superfast broadband. Interim vouchers of up to £400 are also being made available for premises where superfast broadband is planned for after the end of 2021, with an additional £250 for those in the hardest-toreach areas.

An online postcode checker has been launched to give homes and businesses information on eligibility and details about future broadband installation plans.

Scotland’s connectivity minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “Work is under way to build the infrastructure, which will underpin R100, backed by Scottish Government funding of £579 million.

“This, together with commercially driven work, will ensure the vast majority of homes and businesses across the country can access superfast broadband by the end of 2021. But Scotland has some of the most challenging locations anywhere in Europe for providing telecoms infrastructure and I have always been clear that additional measures may still be needed.”

The government has announced £15 million of funding to help disadvantaged and low-income families get online by providing a computer, free data and technical support.

Part of the Connecting Scotland programme, the funding will prioritise disadvantaged families with children and young people leaving care.

An estimated 23,000 households will get a device, 12 months of unlimited data and technical support to help them get online safely and securely.

Households will also be linked with a “digital champion” who will provide six months of training and support over the phone.