Superfast net link - be quick!

BUSINESSES are being urged to act “superfast” and take advantage of a voucher broadband scheme from Oldham Council.

From Wednesday the local authority is offering grants of up to £3,000 to install superfast broadband or to double existing speed if it is already above 30MB.

The purpose of the SuperConnected scheme, administered by Manchester City Council on behalf of Oldham Council, is to help small and medium-sized enterprises to meet the costs of installing a high-speed connection.

The council has already invested £369,000 towards the roll out of superfast broadband across the borough which will ensure that 99.6 per cent of our premises will have access to high-speed connections by the end of 2017. The voucher scheme is an element of the total investment.

Companies were given advice and support about the scheme yesterday at a special digital business breakfast at Oldham College.

After receiving a voucher, companies only have to pay VAT on the connection charge and the monthly subscription fee for their new broadband connection. Businesses can also choose to get their faster broadband via wireless technology.

A voucher can be claimed by an individual organisation, or several organisations can apply as a group, through a landlord or agent.

If residents and businesses want to see whether they already have superfast broadband or when it is going to be provided in the future, look at the Get Digital website: www.getdigital-faster.info