Funding & Gigabit-Capable Broadband
SWS Gigabit-Capable Broadband
SWS Broadband is currently collecting expressions of interest to be able to offer gigabit-capable connections to selected communities in Shropshire.
Connections will be funded by the UK Gigabit Programme - the Vouchers will be issued by DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport).
We will take care of the application for you so there is no paperwork to worry about.
Express Your Interest in Gigabit Connection
SWS Fibre Broadband packages
We have a full range of gigabit-capable broadband connections (SWS Fibre Broadband packages) for residential and business customers. Feel free to get in touch with us if you need extra upload speeds.
Prices inclusive of VAT. Free installation with the GBVS Voucher.
Why go gigabit?
Gigabit-capable broadband connections are future-proof. They can deliver the speeds you need - not only today but far into the future.
Benefits for households
You might have already felt the need for faster broadband at your home. Gigabit-capable broadband connection means you are ready for:
- Video calls for working from home and home education
- Video and music streaming on multiple devices
- Faster download and upload of large files
- Use of internet connected devices for convenience (printer, game console and other smart home appliances)
The value of your house is also likely to increase when it has access to a gigabit-capable network.
Benefits for businesses
Once you have connected your SME (Small & Medium-sized Enterprise) to gigabit-capable broadband, you will not have to worry about the increasing demands for having higher broadband speeds necessary for:
- Remote and flexible working for employees
- Streaming services such as video conferencing
- Online business applications and cloud services
- Cloud data storage
- Internet-connected smart office devices
“If you live in a remote location and can’t access fast broadband, then you are familiar with the frustrations that it brings. Digital connectivity underpins so many aspects of our lives, and it has been vital this year - from remote working to accessing public services... It is essential for rural communities to thrive.” Chris New, SWS Broadband
What is the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme?
The government is committed to delivering lightning-fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband to everyone in the UK as soon as possible.
The government is supporting the roll-out of the fastest broadband connections into rural areas. Gigabit-capable connections will be funded by the UK Gigabit Programme (‘Project Gigabit’) in the form of the Vouchers issued by DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport).
How do you get the GBVS Voucher?
Eligible households and businesses can access their GBVS Voucher only through a Registered Supplier.
SWS Broadband, as a Registered Supplier of the Scheme, wants to support local communities and gather enough interest from your community to be able to combine the GBVS Vouchers and create a Gigabit Project. This will allow us to bring gigabit-capable, future-proof broadband to you and your whole community.
Get in touch with us to express your interest.
Are you eligible for the GBVS Voucher?
Homes and businesses in rural locations which meet the following criteria can use the GBVS Voucher to get gigabit-capable broadband connection with no installation costs:
- currently, you can only get broadband speeds of less than 100Mbps
- your property is located in rural area
- you have to be part of a group project
Group projects are when two or more residents and/or eligible businesses get together to combine the GBVS Vouchers towards the shared cost of installation. Single connections are not eligible for the Scheme.
Which is why we are collecting interest from selected communities within Shropshire.
You can check more details on eligibility here.
Which costs are covered by the GBVS Voucher?
The GBVS Voucher covers the cost of connecting your premises to a gigabit-capable network as well as your router. It also supports the cost of bringing the SWS gigabit-capable network to your community. The GBVS Voucher funds up to £1,500 (inclusive of VAT) for households and £3,500 (exclusive of VAT) for businesses.
Your expression of interest is critical...
... with enough interest your community will be fully funded. If this opportunity is not taken now, then, unfortunately, upgrades will not be free at a later date, and someone else will get the funding.
Express Your Interest in Gigabit Connection
Additional funding from Shropshire Council
But that's not all! Shropshire Council has made up to £1 m of additional funding available to ‘top-up’ the UK Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. It will be distributed on first-come, first-served basis.
The Process
STEP 1: Tell us you are interested in a gigabit-capable connection
We have identified communities where we can deliver the gigabit-capable connections.
Let us know that you are interested and we will contact you as soon as we have registered the project for your community with DCMS and are ready to apply for your Voucher.
STEP 2: SWS takes care of the rest for you
We will contact you with further information about the next steps and project development.
All you will have to do is:
- agree with Terms and Conditions of the Scheme - you can find the link to the latest version here https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/home/about-the-scheme/
- confirm to DCMS (via email) that SWS can request your Voucher for the project on your behalf
- let DCMS know via email that your service is live and working (after we deliver your gigabit-capable connection)
- enjoy your new lightning-fast broadband connection!
Complete our 'Express your interest' form to register your interest.
FAQs
SWS Fibre Broadband & the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme
What if I am in contract with another provider for 2 years?
If you register as a beneficiary for the project now, you have up to 3 years to access the funding to connect to the network - unless the national fund is already depleted.
What if you cannot deliver gigabit-capable broadband connection to me?
You will not miss out on faster speeds – we are already in the process of carrying out an uplift of the entire SWS Broadband network and will be able to offer SWS Wireless Broadband FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) connections (up to 90Mbps) to properties within much of our current coverage area soon. We will be in touch with existing customers as soon as a faster SWS Wireless connection is available for them, but please register your interest with us if you are not an existing customer.
Do you have any other questions? Let us know!
Express your interest in gigabit-capable SWS Fibre Broadband connection
Please fill in the form below and we will get back to you!