Don’t Delay – Apply Now For Broadband Boost

August 16, 2015 by Southend Borough Council

Don’t delay – apply now for broadband boost

Monday 17th August 2015

BUSINESSES in Southend are being urged to apply now for grants of up to £3,000 to boost their broadband connection and reach quicker speeds whilst funding is still available.

Each voucher covers up to £3,000 of installation costs, but businesses can also apply as a group to connect bigger or more complicated premises.

Once installed, businesses pay the line rental and VAT.

More than 30,000 vouchers have already been issued to businesses around the UK and small businesses in Southend-on-Sea are urged to not miss out on this fantastic opportunity.

Cllr Graham Longley, Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, says: “We are open for business and this funding is benefiting many small local companies that need to upgrade their technology which will improve the services they can offer and ultimately boost profits.

The take up has already been excellent and we want to ensure that every business here is aware that they can receive these vouchers. However, this is not a limitless pot, and business should apply now before it is too late.”

Robert Moss, from Arrange My Mortgage.com benefitted from a voucher in May to purchase an ultrafast upgrade for their wireless connection.

The voucher was used for the connection installation and router upgrade which has helped to increase productivity and improve upload speeds.

Robert said: “As the majority of our work is done online, we were waiting around 2 minutes for each file, which are often confidential and large, to be uploaded onto our servers. This amount adds up when you are uploading hundreds of documents each day and slowing down the business’s productivity.

“We had no access to cloud based storage and every piece of scanning that was being done was saved and stored locally, often involving confidential and important mortgage documentation. A small investment has had such a large impact on our business.

“We can now upload large files almost instantly and have been able to invest in cloud based software where we can securely store the documentation and then download it within an instant. This has saved on office space and allowed the business to have a solid start. We have also been able to complete backups quicker, which means we have not had to leave PC’s on overnight and therefore save on energy

To apply, Southend businesses must enter their postcode at connectionvouchers.co.uk to check eligibility, choose a supplier (there are over 800 registered suppliers available) and fill in an application form or pick an off-the-shelf deal with no forms to fill in.

Charities, not for profit organisations and commercial landlords can also apply.

Businesses can also visit southend.gov.uk/broadbandvouchers for further information on the scheme or email broadbandvouchers@southend.gov.uk

Funding for the broadband vouchers programme will end on 31st March 2016 or when there is no longer any funding available