Member Article

Whole North East gets superfast broadband offer

AN offer that helped Newcastle businesses become some of the best-connected in the country has rolled out across the whole of the North East region.

Following the ongoing success of the Go Digital Newcastle initiative, small and medium businesses across the region can now apply for a free Connection Voucher worth up to £3,000 to get connected to superfast broadband.

Charities and social enterprises can also apply.

More than 430 businesses in Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside have already taken advantage of Connection Vouchers via Go Digital scheme, which is run by Newcastle City Council and funded by the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) initiative.

And the BDUK Connection Voucher scheme has now expanded to:

County Durham Northumberland South Tyneside Sunderland Tees Valley – including Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.

Eligible businesses who have access to superfast broadband in their area can choose their own broadband supplier, and will have to pay the VAT and ongoing costs after the free connection is completed.

Cllr Ged Bell, Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, said: “This is a fantastic free offer for SMEs in our region, and could help boost the economy of the entire North East.

“Hundreds of businesses in Newcastle have already snapped up Connection Vouchers and are discovering all the advantages that superfast broadband can bring – easier, quicker contact with their customers, a more reliable internet service and reduced costs through more efficient working.

“Landlords of commercial buildings can also put in multiple applications on behalf of their tenants, making their properties much more attractive to businesses.

“We’d encourage any small and medium business or charity in the region to visit the Go Digital website – you can read case studies of businesses that have benefited, check your eligibility and start your application.”

To apply for a Go Digital connection voucher and find out more about the scheme, visit www.godigitalnewcastle.co.uk, call the team on 0191 277 1625 or email enquiries@godigitalnewcastle.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adrienne Hunter .