Invest Aberdeen News
Broadband voucher scheme launched for Aberdeen businesses
A multi-million pound broadband funding scheme has been officially launched in Aberdeen.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Maria Miller joined Aberdeen City Council’s convener of Education, Culture and Sport Councillor Jenny Laing to launch the Accelerate Aberdeen broadband connection voucher scheme.
The scheme, funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), allows businesses to apply for grants of up to £3,000 each to cover the costs of installing faster and better broadband, helping them to offer customers faster service and increased reliability. It will benefit small and medium enterprises (SMEs), helping the city to create and attract new jobs and investment as part of the Government’s ambition to make the UK the best place in Europe to do business. The businesses pay the VAT, any amount over the value of the voucher, and the ongoing subscription costs.
Maria Miller said: “Fast broadband makes a huge difference to people's lives whether its work or leisure, and Aberdeen businesses need to ensure they are properly equipped to compete in today’s digital age.
“These vouchers will save businesses in Aberdeen thousands of pounds, as well as generating thousands more. I strongly urge Aberdeen businesses to make the most of this offer which is part of the digital transformation taking place across the UK.”
Councillor Laing said: “The pent-up demand for digital connectivity in Aberdeen City and Shire is driven by economic growth and a vibrant commercial and residential sector. Aberdeen was behind the curve in deployment of next-generation broadband services and there was a concern that a slower rate of deployment in broadband infrastructure could have an adverse impact on economic growth and social cohesion.
“As one of the UK’s most productive economies we urgently need to improve broadband speeds and provide better access to digital technology for our citizens and businesses. We see the Accelerate Aberdeen programme, which was established to provide the world-class infrastructure required, as pivotal to achieving this.
“World-class digital connectivity is a key part of our ambitious Strategic Infrastructure Plan, which focuses on the development of the enabling infrastructure needed to realise Aberdeen’s aspirations by creating a unified and cohesive proposal which is needed to deliver growth.”
Aberdeen is one of 22 cities which successfully bid for UK Government Super Connected Cities funding for improved broadband. Of the £5.58million awarded to the city, subject to an approved work programme, £3.5million is to be spent on vouchers designed to help small businesses connect to better quality, high-speed broadband. The rest will go towards the provision of accessible, free wifi in a number of public buildings, and a technology accelerator programme
The Secretary of State and Councillor Laing met with representatives of Aberdeen city and shire businesses, as well as of Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen to discuss the scheme and receive projects they are working on.
The Technology Accelerator Programme is a partnership project between Enterprise North East Trust, the city’s two universities and North East Scotland College to create a technology accelerator facility to deliver a step-change in the provision of enterprise support on digital technology, which will also maximise integration between the business and academic communities.
Brendan Dick, BT Scotland director, added: “This exciting scheme is a vital step forward for small and medium firms in Aberdeen. It will allow even more businesses to take advantage of the huge benefits offered by super-fast internet connections.
“Businesses can use the technology to boost their competitiveness, work more efficiently, attract new customers or strengthen relationships with existing customers. Every Aberdeen firm that switches to faster broadband is good news for the city.”
The voucher scheme is a core part of the transformation of broadband the UK Government is delivering across the country.
Click here to register interest
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Maria Miller joined Aberdeen City Council’s convener of Education, Culture and Sport Councillor Jenny Laing to launch the Accelerate Aberdeen broadband connection voucher scheme.
The scheme, funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), allows businesses to apply for grants of up to £3,000 each to cover the costs of installing faster and better broadband, helping them to offer customers faster service and increased reliability. It will benefit small and medium enterprises (SMEs), helping the city to create and attract new jobs and investment as part of the Government’s ambition to make the UK the best place in Europe to do business. The businesses pay the VAT, any amount over the value of the voucher, and the ongoing subscription costs.
Maria Miller said: “Fast broadband makes a huge difference to people's lives whether its work or leisure, and Aberdeen businesses need to ensure they are properly equipped to compete in today’s digital age.
“These vouchers will save businesses in Aberdeen thousands of pounds, as well as generating thousands more. I strongly urge Aberdeen businesses to make the most of this offer which is part of the digital transformation taking place across the UK.”
Councillor Laing said: “The pent-up demand for digital connectivity in Aberdeen City and Shire is driven by economic growth and a vibrant commercial and residential sector. Aberdeen was behind the curve in deployment of next-generation broadband services and there was a concern that a slower rate of deployment in broadband infrastructure could have an adverse impact on economic growth and social cohesion.
“As one of the UK’s most productive economies we urgently need to improve broadband speeds and provide better access to digital technology for our citizens and businesses. We see the Accelerate Aberdeen programme, which was established to provide the world-class infrastructure required, as pivotal to achieving this.
“World-class digital connectivity is a key part of our ambitious Strategic Infrastructure Plan, which focuses on the development of the enabling infrastructure needed to realise Aberdeen’s aspirations by creating a unified and cohesive proposal which is needed to deliver growth.”
Aberdeen is one of 22 cities which successfully bid for UK Government Super Connected Cities funding for improved broadband. Of the £5.58million awarded to the city, subject to an approved work programme, £3.5million is to be spent on vouchers designed to help small businesses connect to better quality, high-speed broadband. The rest will go towards the provision of accessible, free wifi in a number of public buildings, and a technology accelerator programme
The Secretary of State and Councillor Laing met with representatives of Aberdeen city and shire businesses, as well as of Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen to discuss the scheme and receive projects they are working on.
The Technology Accelerator Programme is a partnership project between Enterprise North East Trust, the city’s two universities and North East Scotland College to create a technology accelerator facility to deliver a step-change in the provision of enterprise support on digital technology, which will also maximise integration between the business and academic communities.
Brendan Dick, BT Scotland director, added: “This exciting scheme is a vital step forward for small and medium firms in Aberdeen. It will allow even more businesses to take advantage of the huge benefits offered by super-fast internet connections.
“Businesses can use the technology to boost their competitiveness, work more efficiently, attract new customers or strengthen relationships with existing customers. Every Aberdeen firm that switches to faster broadband is good news for the city.”
The voucher scheme is a core part of the transformation of broadband the UK Government is delivering across the country.
Click here to register interest
