Local businesses are being encouraged by Bournemouth Council to apply for grants to get connected to superfast broadband, as part of a scheme announced in the chancellor’s Budget on Wednesday.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the area will benefit as Bournemouth has been named a Super Connected City in the Government’s latest programme of Broadband Connection Vouchers.
Businesses will be eligible for vouchers of up to £3,000 per business on a first-come first-served basis from April 2015.
Councillor Mike Greene, cabinet member for corporate policy and implementation, said: “The landmark Tech Nation report, the largest-ever study of the UK’s digital sector, found that the digital economy in Bournemouth is booming. Bournemouth is now the fastest-growing tech city in the country and a great place to do business.
“We are very keen for local businesses to take advantage of these broadband grants as soon as they are able to do so. As a location with a large number of IT supply businesses, we are also promoting the opportunity to local suppliers to encourage them to sign up to the scheme as a supplier.”
Grants will enable business consumers to keep up with the pace of change in the UK’s broadband infrastructure and enjoy the high speeds available. Many SMEs currently connect to broadband on a domestic tariff so switching to superfast broadband would ensure they benefit from consistent speeds and a more appropriate business supply.
Broadband upgrades bring real business benefits. A better connection can help to boost a business’ bottom line by offering better services to customers using the latest technology, improving customers’ experiences online and enhancing the way businesses communicate and collaborate using online conference calls and information sharing.
Dorset County Council are administering the Broadband Vouchers Scheme on behalf of Bournemouth Borough Council, alongside their current Superfast Dorset programme.
SMEs in the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area will be eligible to apply. Find out more here.
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