Businesses encouraged to act fast over high speed broadband grants
A scheme giving Manchester and Salford businesses up to £3,000 support towards the cost of accessing superfast or ultrafast broadband has been launched this week.
Businesses are being urged to act 'superfast' to take advantage of the Manchester City Council and Salford City Council-led grants because the initial pilot only runs until the end of September on a first come, first served basis.
Under the scheme, vouchers - available to small and medium-sized enterprises, from self-employed homeworkers to established firms - would meet the physical costs of getting a fast broadband connection directly into their business premises, meaning they only have to pay the VAT and monthly subscription cost.
Superfast broadband and ultrafast broadband services offer faster download and upload speeds – three to five times quicker than conventional broadband, or in some cases even speedier.
Councillor Nigel Murphy, Executive Member for the Environment for Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester is determined to become on the world's leading digital cities by 2020 and that includes helping our small and medium-sized businesses to access superfast and ultrafast broadband.
"Faster internet connections mean greater efficiencies and access to improved services. This scheme will support the growth of these businesses which play an important role in the city's economy."
For more information on how to apply for the grant, see the poster here.
