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Are There Government Grants Available For Improving Rural Broadband?

03/03/25

Rural broadband services provide hard-to-reach locations, like Cornwall and Devon, with an essential and much-needed internet upgrade. Although areas such as major towns and cities with a higher population already have access to ultra-fast Full Fibre broadband, the same can’t be said for locations like the South West. 

 

However, that’s changed over recent years thanks to Project Gigabit, a governmental scheme to provide hard-to-reach communities with fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband (speeds up to 1,000Mbps). 

wildanet van in woodland

What is Project Gigabit?

Project Gigabit is a £5 billion rural broadband project by the government that aims to deliver next-gen gigabit broadband to more than a million homes and businesses across the UK. The scheme will be crucial for achieving the UK government’s goal of full gigabit coverage by 2030. By focusing on homes and businesses that aren’t included in traditional providers’ future plans, rural broadband helps to serve those who may not otherwise get the digital connectivity they need. 

As well as improving the services available to homeowners, having the fastest, most reliable rural broadband means Project Gigabit will drive productivity across a wide range of businesses as well as public services such as schools and hospitals.

How Does Project Gigabit Work?

Project Gigabit targets hard-to-reach areas where it’s more difficult and more expensive to build broadband infrastructure, which is delivered by Building Digital UK (BDUK). A gigabit connection is around 40 times faster than average internet speeds in Cornwall and will transform your connectivity. The majority of the rollout comes through local and regional contracts, such as Wildanet providing gigabit-capable networks to premises that would otherwise be unlikely to be reached.

 

The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme is a part of the project and focuses on helping people and communities in rural areas enhance their broadband connection. This scheme mainly operates in areas where there’s no existing coverage or planned coverage, and eligible homes and businesses can apply for up to £4,500 to cover the cost of a gigabit connection (speeds up to 1,000Mbps).

 

Wildanet offers a range of rural broadband packages to suit the needs of homeowners and businesses in the South West. Learn more about Project Gigabit or use our postcode checker to discover if high-speed, Full Fibre rural broadband is available in your area.