The new Liverpool Broadband Scheme is now open to help boost high speed broadband for up to 500 businesses in the region.

The programme will provide funding of up to £3,000 to help ease the pressures of ultra-fast broadband connections for companies in the Liverpool enterprise zone.

The scheme is part of a wider national effort to improve broadband and internet services.

Liverpool city council is working with Liverpool Commercial District Business Improvement District (BID) on the scheme to ensure all eligible businesses in the city centre have the opportunity to apply.

Mayor Joe Anderson said:

“I want Liverpool to be the best digitally connected city in the UK. We have a long road ahead to achieve this but this scheme is a major leap in taking the city’s economy to the next level.

“We are competing on a global stage and investment in our digital infrastructure is a real priority for the city.“

Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said:

“This broadband scheme is a game changer for Liverpool city centre.

“It’s going to make a huge impact to the efficiency and productivity of businesses and make Liverpool an even more attractive place to do business.

“This goes to the heart of our plans to support our members by improving their working environments.“

The voucher can be used towards the cost of making the physical connection to business premises, but cannot pay for monthly rental or for any IT equipment.

The connection must give a significant change in service speed – upgrading to a minimum of 30Mbps on a shared line or 20Mbps on a dedicated business grade line

Eligibility criteria:

• Must be an SME (Small or Medium Enterprise), Charity or Social Enterprise

• Must be located within an Enterprise Zone in Liverpool city centre

• The connection must cost more than £100

• Must be seeking a connection to the SME’s business premises

• Must sign up for a minimum 6 month contract with their supplier

• Must select a service that is capable of achieving 30Mbps or higher or a doubling of existing speeds

• Must not have received more than approximately £120,000 in grants in the last three years

More information about eligibility can be found at: www.connectionvouchers.co.uk/liverpool

Source: Bdaily

Image source: TechFeb