Gigabit connection funding set to unlock business growth

- DCMS scheme will fund installation of full-fibre broadband services for UK SMEs - Funding available in CityFibre’s Gigabit Cities: Aberdeen, Bristol, Coventry, Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and York SMEs in select regions across the UK can now apply for up to £3000 in grant funding to give their business broadband a Gigabit boost, thanks to a new voucher scheme launched this month by the Department of Digital, Culture,Media and Sport (DCMS). Businesses based in Aberdeen, Bristol, Coventry, Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and York are now able to secure a free connection to their local full-fibre network, built and operated by CityFibre. The scheme will bolster local business growth by granting SMEs access to next-generation connectivity capable of gigabit speeds and near limitless bandwidth. This in turn will not only drive greater efficiency, productivity and competitiveness, it will also help to accelerate the roll-out of future-proofed full-fibre infrastructure across the UK. Speaking of the move, Rob Hamlin, Commercial Director at CityFibre, said: “Businesses have never been more dependent on internet connectivity than they are today. Copper or fibre to the cabinet services have become a bottleneck to business productivity and only a full-fibre connection delivers the speed and reliability they need to thrive. “The new Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme represents a great opportunity for SMEs to future-proof their businesses and unleash the potential of full fibre. Talk to your service provider or register your interest with us today to take advantage.” Businesses eligible to apply for a Gigabit Voucher must employ no more than 249 people, have an annual turnover below £50m and/or balance sheet below £43m. The business must also not be a subsidiary and/or under the control of a larger SME entity. Register your interest at: www.cityfibre.com/gigabit-voucher ENDS Issued on behalf of CityFibre by Weber Shandwick, PR Consultants for CityFibre. For more information or images, contact: Dyan Owen at Weber Shandwick on + 44 (0)7738 086 818 or dowen@webershandwick.com. Notes to Editors: CityFibre is the national builder of Gigabit Cities, as the UK’s largest alternative provider of wholesale fibre network infrastructure. It has major metro duct and fibre footprints in 42 cities across the UK and a national long distance network that connects these cities to major data-centres across the UK and to key peering points in London. The company has an extensive customer base spanning service integrators, enterprise and consumer service providers and mobile operators. Providing a portfolio of active and dark fibre services, CityFibre’s networks address 28,000 public sites, 7,800 mobile masts, 280,000 businesses and 4.0 million homes. CityFibre is based in London, United Kingdom, and its shares trade on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: CITY). Further information on the company can be found at www.cityfibre.com