Broadband boost for local businesses

November 8, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Tuesday 8th November 2016

Over 60 local businesses in Southend-on-Sea have had a boost to their connectivity thanks to the Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme.

Last year Southend-on-Sea was selected as one of 50 cities across the UK to join Phase 3 of the Super Connected Cities Programme with businesses in Southend-on-Sea urged to apply for grants of up to £3,000 to boost their broadband connection and reach quicker speeds.

The government made £40m available for the scheme, which aims to transform broadband, with speeds of at least 2Mbps and 95% of the UK receiving speeds of at least 24Mbps by 2017. In Southend-on-Sea, 67 local businesses have been awarded grants to help achieve new and improved broadband connection speeds.

Cllr Ann Holland Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy Said: “Southend-on-Sea has a dynamic business community and more than ever, fast and reliable broadband is a major consideration for businesses.”

“I’m thrilled at the success of the scheme and for those businesses that were able to secure funding.”

he scheme allowed businesses to apply for grants to cover the costs of installing faster and better broadband. Overall local businesses have received over £45,000 worth of grants and have been able to benefit from download speeds of up to 20 times faster and upload speeds of up to 10 times faster.