CALL for rural communities to take advantage of extra funding to boost digital connectivity in Cumbria. Rural communities across Cumbria are being reminded to take advantage of voucher funding from the Digital Borderlands scheme, to help them secure faster and more reliable internet connections for homes and businesses. Digital connectivity, mobile and fixed broadband, is essential for communities and businesses, with the importance of these services highlighted by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Vouchers are currently available across rural areas in the UK to subsidise the cost of bringing gigabit-capable broadband services to areas suffering from slow internet speeds. As part of the £394.5m Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, up to £4m of additional Government funding has been made available in our region to ‘top-up’ these vouchers, so more money is available to improve digital connectivity and boost the regional economy. The Government’s Rural Gigabit Broadband Vouchers Scheme (RGBVS) currently provides up to £3,500 funding for eligible businesses and up to £1,500 for eligible residential properties to install gigabit-capable connections. Applications for vouchers must be made by March 31 2021.
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