- The Gigabit Voucher Scheme provides subsidies towards the cost of new gigabit-capable connections in eligible areas.
- Vouchers can be worth up to a maximum set by the scheme, with values published on gov.uk.
- The scheme is aimed mainly at rural and harder-to-reach premises lacking gigabit-capable broadband.
- Vouchers are often used by groups of homes and businesses coming together to fund a connection.
- Applications are made through approved suppliers and administered via gov.uk and Building Digital UK.
The Gigabit Voucher Scheme subsidises new gigabit-capable connections in eligible rural areas, with vouchers up to a set maximum. They are often pooled by groups of premises and applied for through approved suppliers.
Last reviewed: June 2026
What the scheme is
The Gigabit Voucher Scheme provides financial support towards the cost of installing new gigabit-capable broadband connections in eligible areas, mainly rural and harder-to-reach locations that lack fast broadband. Rather than reducing the price of a monthly package, the voucher contributes to the build cost of bringing a connection to a premises. This addresses a key barrier in rural areas, where the cost of constructing a connection can be high enough to deter both builders and individual customers. By subsidising that cost, the scheme makes it viable to bring full fibre to places it would otherwise not reach.
The scheme is administered through gov.uk and Building Digital UK, and it sits alongside the larger Project Gigabit programme as part of the effort to extend fast connectivity into rural Britain. It is particularly powerful when used by groups of premises together.
How much the voucher is worth
Vouchers under the scheme can be worth up to a maximum set by the scheme, with the current values published on gov.uk. The amounts have differed for residential premises and businesses, and the scheme allows vouchers to be pooled when multiple premises come together, which can fund a substantial share of a build. Because the exact values and rules are set by the scheme and can change, gov.uk is the authoritative source for the current figures. The headline point is that the subsidy can be significant, often covering a large part, and sometimes all, of the cost of getting a connection built in a group project.
| Element | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible premises | Mostly rural, lacking gigabit-capable broadband | Homes and businesses |
| Voucher value | Up to a maximum set by the scheme | Current figures on gov.uk |
| Group applications | Vouchers can be pooled | Common and effective route |
| Approved suppliers | Build the connection | Vouchers redeemed through them |
| What it covers | Build cost of a new connection | Not the ongoing service |
Who qualifies
Eligibility centres on premises in eligible areas that lack a gigabit-capable connection, typically rural and harder-to-reach locations. The scheme is designed for places where fast broadband is not already available and where the build cost is the barrier. Both homes and businesses can be eligible, subject to the scheme's criteria, and eligibility is checked as part of the application. Because the scheme targets gaps in coverage, premises that already have access to a gigabit-capable connection are generally not eligible. Checking eligibility through gov.uk or an approved supplier is the starting point for any premises considering the scheme.
Individual versus group applications
One of the most important features of the scheme is the ability to combine vouchers across multiple premises. While an individual premises can apply, the cost of building a connection to a single remote property can exceed the value of one voucher. By coming together as a group, neighbouring homes and businesses can pool their vouchers, which raises the total subsidy available and makes it possible to fund a build that no single premises could afford alone. Group applications are therefore a common and effective route, and communities in rural areas often organise collectively to bring full fibre to their area through this approach.
Approved suppliers
Vouchers are used through approved suppliers, the network builders registered with the scheme to deliver connections funded by vouchers. The supplier carries out the build and the voucher contributes to the cost. Working with an approved supplier is central to the process, because the voucher is redeemed through them rather than paid directly to the customer. A premises or group considering the scheme typically engages an approved supplier, who assesses the project, the cost, and how the vouchers apply. The list of approved suppliers and how to work with them is available through the scheme's resources on gov.uk.
How to apply
Applying for a voucher is done in conjunction with an approved supplier and administered through gov.uk and Building Digital UK. The general process involves checking eligibility, identifying an approved supplier and a viable project, and applying for the vouchers, often as a group, with the supplier assisting. The supplier then carries out the build, and the vouchers are redeemed against the cost. Because the process involves the supplier and the scheme's administration, following the steps set out on gov.uk and working closely with the approved supplier ensures the application is handled correctly and the subsidy is applied as intended.
What the voucher covers and does not
The voucher contributes towards the cost of building the new gigabit-capable connection, which is its purpose. It does not cover the ongoing cost of the broadband service itself; once the connection is built, the customer pays for their chosen package in the normal way. Nor is it a general subsidy for existing connections; it is specifically for new builds in eligible areas. Understanding this distinction is important: the voucher solves the upfront barrier of the build cost, making a connection possible, while the monthly service remains a normal commercial arrangement. This is why the scheme is so valuable in areas where the build cost, not the monthly price, is the obstacle.
Why the scheme matters for rural areas
For rural communities, the Gigabit Voucher Scheme can be transformative, because it addresses the specific barrier that keeps fast broadband out of harder-to-reach areas: the high cost of building a connection. By subsidising that cost, and by allowing premises to pool vouchers as a group, the scheme makes it viable to bring full fibre to places the market would not serve. Combined with Project Gigabit and the Universal Service Obligation, it forms part of a toolkit that gives rural households and businesses genuine routes to fast connectivity, narrowing the urban and rural divide one community at a time.
Taking advantage of the scheme
In summary, the Gigabit Voucher Scheme subsidises the cost of new gigabit-capable connections in eligible, mainly rural areas, with vouchers up to a maximum set by the scheme and published on gov.uk. It is most powerful when premises pool their vouchers as a group, and it is used through approved suppliers and administered via gov.uk and Building Digital UK. For rural premises lacking fast broadband, exploring the scheme, ideally collectively with neighbours, is a practical route to getting a connection built that would otherwise be out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Gigabit Voucher worth?
Vouchers can be worth up to a maximum set by the scheme, with current values published on gov.uk. The amounts have differed for homes and businesses, and vouchers can be pooled when multiple premises come together, funding a substantial share of a build. Because the values and rules can change, gov.uk is the authoritative source for the current figures.
Who qualifies for a Gigabit Voucher?
Eligibility centres on premises in eligible areas, typically rural and harder-to-reach, that lack a gigabit-capable connection. Both homes and businesses can qualify, subject to the scheme's criteria, and eligibility is checked during the application. Premises that already have access to a gigabit-capable connection are generally not eligible, as the scheme targets coverage gaps.
How do I apply for a Gigabit Voucher?
Applications are made in conjunction with an approved supplier and administered through gov.uk and Building Digital UK. The process involves checking eligibility, identifying an approved supplier and a viable project, and applying for the vouchers, often as a group, with the supplier assisting. The supplier carries out the build and the vouchers are redeemed against the cost.
Can I apply as a group of households?
Yes, and group applications are a common and effective route. Because the cost of building a connection to a single remote property can exceed one voucher, neighbouring homes and businesses can pool their vouchers, raising the total subsidy and making a build viable that no single premises could fund alone. Communities often organise collectively to do this.
What does the voucher actually pay for?
The voucher contributes towards the cost of building the new gigabit-capable connection. It does not cover the ongoing cost of the broadband service, which the customer pays for in the normal way once connected, nor is it a subsidy for existing connections. It specifically addresses the upfront build cost that is the barrier in harder-to-reach areas.
How does the voucher scheme relate to Project Gigabit?
The Gigabit Voucher Scheme works alongside Project Gigabit. Project Gigabit funds larger contracts to build networks across targeted areas, while the voucher scheme helps individual premises, often in groups, contribute towards bringing full fibre to their specific location. The voucher scheme offers a route for communities in areas not yet covered by a Project Gigabit contract.
