Digital Scotland delivers faster broadband in rural areas

This article is more than 2 years old

Digital Scotland is extending their Reaching 100% (R100) Interim Voucher Scheme to 31 March 2022, as part of their commitment to deliver faster broadband to everyone in Scotland,

This extension will ensure that thousands more remote and rural homes and businesses across Scotland can apply for a subsidy of up to £400 towards their broadband connection – with an additional £250 for those in the hardest-to-reach areas.

The R100 interim voucher is available to all homes and businesses with speeds less than 30Mbps and where superfast broadband roll-out is planned, but unlikely to be delivered until after 31 December 2021.

Premises that are not expected to receive a superfast connection through either the R100 contracts or planned commercial investment will be eligible for a £5,000 main voucher. Applications for main vouchers will continue to be accepted after March 2022.

Find out more about the voucher schemes.

Over 1,200 premises already benefiting from R100 vouchers

First launched in August 2020, over 1,200* rural premises can now access faster speeds thanks to the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme. Another 1,100* premises are also in the process of establishing a connection through the voucher scheme within the next 12 months.

More than 60 suppliers have registered to date and a range of different technologies including fibre to the premise, fixed wireless, mobile or satellite are available.

You can check your eligibility for the main and interim vouchers using the online address checker.

* As at 15 November 2021

R100 build progress

The R100 programme will ensure that every home and business can access superfast broadband. It focuses on the final 6% - and most often hardest to reach - properties in Scotland and is delivered through three strands of activity: R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme, the £600m R100 contracts and commercial investment.

To find out the status of your superfast broadband connection, enter your postcode into the online address checker.

For more information please visit https://www.scotlandsuperfast.com/