DCMS announces further support to deliver better connection to rural areas

Article summary

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has awarded a £108m contract to Fibrus under Project Gigabit, to connect 60,000 rural homes and businesses in Cumbria. The government has also confirmed that the value of vouchers available under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme will be tripled, meaning that, from early 2023, eligible homes and businesses will be able to apply for up to £4,500 to cover the cost of gigabit-capable connection. In addition, the DCMS launched a trial to see which satellites can be used to deliver high-speed broadband connections to ‘very hard to reach’ locations. Following the trial, the government will evaluate the viability of the technology to connect very hard to reach homes and businesses across the UK.