Support

The UK Gigabit Voucher Scheme is a Government initiative to help homes and businesses in rural areas install a gigabit-capable* full fibre connection when part of a group scheme. For more information please visit our page Gigabit Voucher Scheme

Background

From March 2020, households and businesses with broadband speeds below 10Mbps are able to request decent connections under the Government’s Universal Services Obligation (USO).

The Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband is a UK-wide measure intended as a “safety net” to deliver broadband to those premises that do not have access to a decent and affordable connection.

The Government have defined a decent connection as one that can deliver 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed (along with other defined quality parameters). Ofcom has defined an affordable connection as one that costs less than £45 per month.

The USO provides a legal right to request a decent broadband connection, up to a cost threshold of £3,400. BT have been designated as the Universal Service Providers responsible for fulfilling requests from eligible consumers.

The Government undertook a consultation on the USO in October/November 2023. The outcome has yet to be reported. For more information and eligibility criteria, please visit the Ofcom website.

Who is eligible?

Residents and businesses are eligible for the USO if:

• they do not have access to a decent broadband connection (10 Mbps download speed, 1 Mbps upload speed and other specified quality parameters); orif the only service available that can provide the minimum criteria costs more than £45 per month; and
• the property is not due to be connected to a publicly funded roll-out scheme within 12 months; and
• the connection will cost no more than £3,400 to build (or the customer has chosen to pay the excess above that amount).

Access to a decent connection means by any technology capable of delivering the standard, including wireless networks such as mobile broadband.

How do I check if my property is eligible?

Visit BT’s USO web page to find out if your property is eligible.

How can a request be made?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can request a connection for your business or home through the BT website. Please note that it can take between 12 months and in some cases up to 24 months for a connection.   

There are a number of factors which can affect the speed of your broadband connection in your home. OFCOM have provided some useful advice to help you improve the speed of your service:

• Ofcom Practical tips for improving your broadband speed

Mobile broadband coverage can be patchy in some localities and mobile signals do not always perform as well indoors.  Telecoms Regulator Ofcom has provided some useful tips on how to improve your indoor mobile signal and information on how to use wi-fi calling at home on mobile smartphone devices. This allows users to make and receive calls using their broadband connection rather than relying on the mobile phone signal. This can be a lifeline if your mobile network is impacted.

• Improving your indoor coverage – Ofcom

To find out more about mobile coverage in your area, use Ofcom’s mobile coverage availability checker which provides information on the four Mobile Network Operators indoor and outdoor coverage – EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone.

• View mobile availability – Ofcom Checker

The National Cyber Security Centre supports organisations and the public by providing advice, guidance and responses to cyber security incidents.

Topics covered include:

• Passwords
• Protecting data and devices
• Staying safe online – including using social media, online gaming and shopping
• Malware, suspicious emails, phishing
• Education – video conferencing, home learning technology including cyber sprinters resources aimed at children aged 7 – 11 years old.

Further information:

National Cyber Security Centre – NCSC.GOV.UK

As the cost of living continues to increase, what we pay to stay connected and entertained will increasingly come into sharp focus for many households. The Communications Regulator, OFCOM, has set out some helpful tips to help you to ensure you’re not paying more.

• Tips for cutting your phone, broadband and pay-TV costs – Ofcom

The National Databank is like a food bank, but for mobile data – it provides free mobile SIM cards for people who need internet connectivity. People can get mobile data from their local National Databank.

The National Databank provides free mobile data, texts and calls to people in need via Good Things Foundation’s network of local community partners. Community organisations can apply to access the databank, enabling them to provide data to people in their communities who need it. Go to the Good Things Foundation website to find out more  National Databank – Good Things Foundation

How does the National Databank work?

Good Things Foundation created the National Databank with Virgin Media O2, supported by Vodafone and Three. It works like this:

1. Our partners Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three regularly donate mobile data SIM cards to us at Good Things
2. Members of the National Digital Inclusion Network, which is a network of organisations helping people in their communities powered by Good Things, can apply for data packages anytime
3. Members of the National Digital Inclusion Network receive, activate and gift the free mobile data to people experiencing data poverty or living on a low income in their community
4. People experiencing data poverty or living on a low income can pick up a free mobile SIM card from their local National Databank. (There’s over 1,600 organisations currently providing the National Databank across the UK!)