Project impact targets achieved:
2,441 new super/ultrafast broadband connectionsBoost rural economy and aid recovery from COVID-19
More homes and businesses able to benefit from world class gigabit capable connectivity
Rural Gigabit Voucher Programme
Total project cost: £1.3 million
GBF awarded: £800,000
Status: Outcomes and outputs completed
‘Lighting the Spark’: Rural Gigabit Voucher Programme
This project made more funding available to help homes and businesses in rural areas of Oxfordshire get access to much faster and more reliable internet connections. GBF funding was used to ‘top up’ vouchers available from the Government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
Delivery partner: Oxfordshire County Council
Please note: This programme was delivered when Enterprise Oxfordshire were operating as OxLEP.
The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme was providing up to £3,500 funding for eligible businesses and up to £1,500 for eligible residential properties to install superfast connections capable of download speeds of up to one gigabit per second. The ‘top up’ meant that all eligible properties, both businesses and residential, could apply for up to a maximum of £7,000.
Improving digital connectivity is vital to boost the rural economy and has become increasingly essential as many workplaces have moved to flexible working due to the pandemic.