Gigabit Connection Voucher Scheme: Free Funding for Business Fibre

What Is the Gigabit Connection Voucher Scheme?

The Gigabit Connection Voucher Scheme (GCVS) is a UK government initiative delivered through DSIT (the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) and administered regionally through local authorities and growth hubs. It provides financial contributions towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband — principally full-fibre (FTTP) or leased line connections — for eligible small businesses and charities.

The scheme has operated in various forms since 2018 and has provided vouchers to thousands of UK businesses. Availability varies by region, with some areas offering active vouchers and others having exhausted their current allocation. If you have not yet checked your eligibility, it is worth doing so — particularly as funding can be combined across multiple businesses sharing a connection.

How Much Funding Is Available?

The funding amounts under the Gigabit Connection Voucher Scheme as currently structured are:

• Small businesses (up to 249 employees): Up to £3,500 per voucher
• Charities: Up to £3,500 per voucher

Crucially, vouchers can be aggregated. If multiple businesses in the same building or on the same street apply simultaneously, their individual vouchers can be combined towards the cost of a shared infrastructure project. This means a group of five eligible businesses could collectively access up to £17,500 in funding — which can cover a significant proportion of the civils and installation costs for a new fibre connection to a building.

The supplier installing the connection claims the voucher funding on your behalf — you simply ensure the voucher is applied at the point of installation.

What Connections Qualify for a Gigabit Voucher?

To qualify under the scheme, the connection must be:

• Gigabit-capable — able to deliver download speeds of at least 1 Gbps, or on a credible upgrade path to gigabit speeds
• Full-fibre (FTTP) or an equivalent gigabit-capable technology
• Installed by an approved supplier registered with the scheme

Standard FTTC broadband (copper-based fibre-to-the-cabinet) does not qualify, as it cannot reliably achieve gigabit speeds. Leased lines typically do qualify as they are symmetrical gigabit-capable connections by definition. Full-fibre broadband products from Openreach and alternative network providers (CityFibre, Hyperoptic, etc.) are the most commonly claimed connection type under the scheme.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

To be eligible for a Gigabit Connection Voucher, your business must:

• Be classified as a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) — generally defined as having fewer than 250 employees and a turnover below £45m
• Be based in the UK
• Not already have a gigabit-capable connection at the premises
• Not have previously received a voucher for the same premises under the scheme
• Use an approved installer who is registered with the voucher scheme

Charities (including registered charities and community interest companies) are also eligible, and in some regions housing associations and GP surgeries have been included in specific scheme variants.

How to Apply for a Gigabit Voucher

The application process varies slightly by region, but the general steps are:

1. Check availability: Visit the DSIT Gigabit Voucher Scheme website or contact your regional Growth Hub to confirm whether vouchers are currently available in your area.
2. Find an approved supplier: Only installations carried out by registered scheme suppliers are eligible. Your ISP or telecoms provider can confirm whether they are registered — if they are not, they cannot claim the voucher on your behalf.
3. Apply for your voucher: Applications are typically made online through the scheme portal. You will need to provide basic business information and confirm the premises address.
4. Receive your voucher code: Once approved, you receive a voucher code with an expiry date (typically 6–12 months).
5. Arrange installation: Work with your approved supplier to schedule the installation. Provide the voucher code at the time of ordering — the supplier claims the funding directly from the scheme, reducing your installation cost accordingly.

Combining Vouchers with Other Funding

In some regions, the Gigabit Voucher Scheme can be combined with other funding initiatives — including local authority business support grants and UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations. The specific combining rules vary by region and are worth discussing with your Growth Hub or a connectivity specialist before applying.

For businesses in areas covered by the government's Project Gigabit programme, subsidised full-fibre rollout may be arriving regardless of the voucher scheme — though the timelines for Project Gigabit coverage are measured in years rather than months, and the voucher scheme provides a faster route to gigabit connectivity for eligible businesses that cannot wait.

Is the Scheme Still Active?

The Gigabit Connection Voucher Scheme has been renewed and extended several times since its launch. As of 2026, regional availability varies — some areas have active voucher funding, others have exhausted their current allocation and are waiting for new rounds. The scheme is not available nationwide simultaneously.

The best approach is to check current availability through the DCMS/DSIT voucher portal or through a registered supplier. AMVIA is a registered scheme supplier and can confirm current availability at your premises as part of a connectivity review.

Practical Advice: Making the Most of the Voucher

• Act early in a new funding round: Voucher allocations are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once a regional pot is exhausted, you may need to wait for the next round.
• Coordinate with neighbours: If other businesses in your building or on your street might also benefit, a coordinated group application can unlock substantially more funding and share the civils costs of bringing fibre to the location.
• Check both sides of the cost: The voucher covers installation costs — confirm with your supplier whether the monthly connection fee is competitive on an ongoing basis, as the voucher only reduces upfront cost.
• Use an approved supplier: Only approved suppliers can claim voucher funding. If an installer is not registered, you cannot retrospectively claim the voucher after installation.