Highland businesses benefit from Broadband Voucher Scheme

Eight businesses are the first in Highland to successfully apply for free Broadband Connection Vouchers which will now enable them to boost their broadband to make sure they benefit from new IT opportunities and better productivity.

The scheme, which provide grants of up to £3,000 to help small businesses and charities is funded by the UK Government’s SuperConnected Cities Initiative and is administered locally by The Highland Council in conjunction with City of Edinburgh Council. It opened up to small and medium sized businesses and charities in Inverness as well as many other parts of the Highlands this year on the 1st April.

Fifty cities across the UK are now taking part in the connection voucher scheme and more than 25,000 vouchers have been issued including 1,043 in Scotland.

Two of the Highland businesses who have managed to access the Vouchers to help them develop their technology needs are Dynam Graphics and Munro and Noble.

Gordon McIntosh Practice Manager with Inverness based solicitors and estate agent Munro and Noble said: “As a business our use of technology has expanded exponentially in recent years. Clients demand, (and rightly so), excellence in communication, particularly online interaction with our firm. Until the introduction of the voucher scheme enabling us to install an ‘up-to 100MB’ dedicated broadband line, we have been reliant upon two standard contended ADSL broadband lines with inconsistent and relatively slow upload and download speeds. Once connected, (anytime now),the technology experts are telling me we will see a significant improvement in connectivity. I am convinced the voucher scheme will help Inverness businesses move into the modern technical age.”

Eleanor Neilson from the branding, marketing and web agency, Dynam was also delighted to have their application for the Broadband Connection Vouchers accepted.  She said: The nature of our business means that we are regularly uploading and downloading large amounts of data and to date it has been like watching paint dry! It is going to make a huge difference to our throughput of work.

The other Highland companies to receive the vouchers are Simpson Highview Limited, New Start Highland, the Waterside Hotel in Inverness, sfG Software Ltd, Lochy Holiday Park and AJG Parcels.

Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Margaret Davidson is encouraging more Highland businesses to check to see if they are eligible to apply.  She said: “We know how important a fast broadband connection is for businesses to grow and with up to £3,000 worth of installation costs available, this is a great chance to get assistance and open up new or improved ways to do business. The scheme is all about enhancing how businesses communicate with customers and deliver their services efficiently and effectively. I wish the successful businesses all the best as they explore new opportunities and I encourage more Highland based businesses to apply.”

Charities, not for profit organisations and commercial landlords can also apply.