Having reliable internet a fundamental requirement for the success and growth of any UK business, and while the benefits of a dedicated leased line are undeniable, the initial installation costs and ongoing monthly fees can sometimes deter smaller UK businesses from making this crucial upgrade.
Our comprehensive guide will walk you through the key UK government grants and schemes available for leased line installation, detailing eligibility, how they work, and what it means for your business.
Why the Government is Investing in Gigabit Connectivity
The UK government recognises that ubiquitous gigabit-capable broadband is vital for national economic growth, productivity, and competitiveness on the global stage.
Project Gigabit is a £5 billion programme aimed at delivering fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach communities that would otherwise be left behind by commercial rollout plans. The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme is a critical component of this, directly subsidising the upfront costs for eligible homes and businesses.
By encouraging the adoption of full-fibre infrastructure, the government aims to:
- Boost productivity
- Drive innovation
- Support remote working
- Reduce digital divide
- Enhance competitiveness
The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS)
The GBVS is the primary government grant directly aimed at helping businesses and residents cover the costs of installing a gigabit-capable connection (such as a leased line!)
How does it work?
The scheme operates on a voucher system, so rather than you directly applying for the grant, your chosen leased line provider, who must be a registered supplier under the scheme, applies for the voucher on your behalf. The voucher amount is then deducted from your installation costs.
Am I Eligible?
To qualify for a GBVS voucher, your business generally needs to meet the following criteria:
- Be a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) or a sole trader, which typically means having fewer than 249 employees and an annual turnover not exceeding £36 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding £18 million.
- For smaller entities, the definition of a micro-sized company (not more than 10 employees, turnover not exceeding £632,000, and/or balance sheet total not exceeding £316,000) is often considered.
- Your premises must be in an area that is not currently covered by commercial gigabit-capable broadband plans and is not part of a separate Project Gigabit procurement contract (a postcode checker is usually available via providers or the government website to verify this).
- The voucher is for a new gigabit-capable connection.
- You must self-certify that your organisation will have received less than £315,000 in public grants over any period of three fiscal years, including the current year and the voucher contribution.
- You must commit to a minimum 12-month contract for the new gigabit-capable service.
Leased Line Providers & Their Role in Grant Applications
The UK market boasts a competitive array of leased line providers, many of whom are registered and experienced suppliers under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
Keep in mind that these providers are your crucial partners in navigating the grant application process, verifying your eligibility, and ensuring the seamless installation of your new leased line.
The Broader Government Initiatives & Additional Local Support
While the GBVS is undoubtedly the most direct and widely accessible grant for leased line installation, it forms part of a broader, integrated framework of government support for enhancing the UK’s digital infrastructure:
- Project Gigabit Procurements
These represent larger-scale, region-wide contracts awarded by the government to major network operators (such as Openreach, CityFibre, and others). These procurements directly subsidise the strategic rollout of gigabit-capable infrastructure across entire counties or specific geographical regions.
If your business is located within an area covered by one of these larger, pre-funded procurements, you may find that your premises are not eligible for individual GBVS vouchers, as your connectivity upgrade is already factored into a wider, publicly funded deployment plan.
- Local Authority Top-up Schemes
It’s worth noting that several proactive local authorities across the UK, often working in close collaboration with Building Digital UK (BDUK), may offer supplementary funding to augment the value of the standard GBVS vouchers.
These localised ‘top-up’ schemes can further reduce the net installation cost for businesses situated within their specific administrative areas, but it is always highly advisable to proactively check with your specific local council to ascertain if any additional, complementary funding opportunities are available in your region.
Leading UK Leased Line Providers
| Provider | Redundancy options | Dual carrier Support? | From |
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Diverse routing, dual links | Yes | £399 + redundancy |
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Dual-site connectivity | Yes | £400 + |
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Separate routes, SD-WAN | Yes | £450 + |
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Active-passive options | Limited | £300 + |
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Multi-site and resilient WAN | Yes | £375 + |
