Cumbrian businesses are being urged not to miss out on £3,000 vouchers towards faster broadband.

The Government has launched the Gigabit Voucher Scheme, giving businesses vouchers towards internet connections.

The vouchers will allow businesses to access connections of at least 100 Mbps, and up to 1,000 Mbps, but the cash pot is limited and only available until March 2019.

Carlisle-based internet provider Solway Communications, says the scheme could make a genuine difference to the area, and ‘turbo-charging’ businesses growth and development, particularly by making the huge benefits of cloud computing and remote data storage a practical option smaller businesses.

Vouchers of up to £3,000 are available to small and medium sized firms to contribute to the connection costs of a full fibre connection.

Only connections from participating suppliers, including Solway Communications, will be eligible for vouchers.

Solway Communications managing director Nick Kittoe said: “This is an important development for local businesses and we don’t want people to miss out – and they genuinely could if they don’t act quickly.

“The scheme is for small and medium businesses only and there are some key details that they need to be aware of, such as the pot being cash limited.

“The vouchers are only valid for 12 months from issue date and if service is not delivered in that time frame the voucher will expire and you remain liable for the install costs.

“Similar schemes have been launched in the past and we’ve helped customers with them, but many people are not aware of exactly how to capitalise.

“This scheme could really turbo-charge business growth.

“Solway was set up with the aim of helping Cumbrian businesses grow and develop through better connectivity, so we really welcome these vouchers.

“Our message to local businesses is please get in touch before it’s too late.”

DCMS Secretary of State, Matt Hancock said: “Small businesses are the backbone of the British economy and now they can turbo-charge their connectivity with gigabit speeds.

“By building a full-fibre future for Britain we are laying the foundations for a digital infrastructure capable of delivering today what the next generation will need tomorrow.”

The scheme will initially be open for applications until March 2019 or until all available funding has been allocated.

This is a new scheme, different to the Basic Broadband Subsidy, which was designed to help those with speeds of under 2mb/s upgrade their connections and mainly suits homes.