The UK now has 95% coverage for superfast broadband with speeds of 24 megabits per second or higher. However, most superfast connections still depend on copper telephone wires, which are limited in the speeds they can support. For the fastest and most reliable broadband, capable of delivering gigabit speeds, a full fibre connection is required.

The gigabit voucher scheme is now available to businesses and residents across Central Bedfordshire, who would like to make their broadband faster.

Full fibre broadband connections are future proof and offer the fastest and most reliable speeds available. This means you will be able to send and receive large files with ease and experience download speeds 20 times faster than the UK average.

Gigabit vouchers can be used by small businesses and the local communities surrounding them to contribute to the installation cost of a gigabit capable connection.

Businesses can claim up to £3,000 against the cost of connection either individually or as part of a group project.Residents can benefit from the scheme with a voucher worth £500 towards the cost of installing a gigabit capable full fibre broadband.

How to apply
To benefit from the voucher scheme there must be at least one business as well as other residents in your area who also wish to install a gigabit capable connection.

As part of this group, you are able to combine the values of your vouchers. There is no minimum size for a group project, but at least half of the total value of the vouchers in the project must be for businesses.

You can find the full terms and conditions for eligibility for the scheme here

If you are interested in getting a gigabit-capable connection, you will first need to make enquiries with a registered supplier. See the list here.