Decision details

Gigabit Capable broadband is the next generation of connectivity, able to deliver speeds of 1Gb (1000Mb).  Following decision CAB13 19-20 in February 2020, the County Council’s Digital Infrastructure Team is working with partners, communities and suppliers to promote the Government Gigabit Voucher Scheme (GBVS) administered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Currently residents and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas can obtain up to £1,500 and £3,500 respectively towards the cost of a gigabit capable installation. Despite this there are still instances where the scheme is still not viable for residents and SME’s in some hardest to reach areas. The County Council therefore proposes to utilise the option to undertake a ‘top up’ to the GBVS scheme to increase the viability and attractiveness of the scheme in rural communities which include some of the hardest to reach and least commercially viable areas.  This involves working with residents, SMEs and suppliers to aggregate demand in rural eligible areas. This will include promotion of the scheme, community engagement and allocation of resources to overcome barriers faced by rural communities.

The Executive Director for Place Services has endorsed a bid for funding to the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport to enable the establishment of a Gigabit Voucher Top Up Scheme for West Sussex and to commit up to £2.85m from the Business Rates Retention Pilot to act as the investment of the West Sussex Councils.

None