The Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme has been operational since September 2020. Following continuous feedback from suppliers, a supplier engagement session with UK-WISPA and INCA, and a supplier feedback survey; there follows a collection of Frequently Asked Questions and answers.
Q. Does the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme require “Gigabit capability” like the UK government scheme?
A. No, it requires a minimum of a ‘superfast’ (over 30 Mbps) connection to be supplied. Ultrafast and Gigabit capable connections are preferable but are not a requirement.
Q. Does the service price cap of £54 include or exclude VAT?
Q. Is it £54 with or without VAT?
A. The service price cap of £54 is inclusive of VAT.
Q. Are the £54 for residential customers only? What about business customers?
A. The service price cap of £54 is applicable for both residential and business customers.
Q. Can I charge more than £54 for enhanced products?
A. You must offer a service that is compliant with the Scheme. Customers must have an option to take a service that is ≥ 30 Mbps and costs no more than £54. But your customers can choose to upgrade to a service which is faster or has more features (e.g. static IP) if they wish, which you can charge more for.
Q. Is the £54 average per month across contract term including installation?
A. It is intended that the voucher will cover the installation cost. The £54 per month is the ongoing charge to the customer of providing the service.
Q. What are the technical requirements for connectivity delivered under the Scheme?
A. To qualify for SBVS funding suppliers must deliver an end-user connection that:
- Has a speed greater than 30 Mbps;
- Delivers a “step change” in service which is at least doubling the speed of the end user’s currently available speed;
- Does not have a prohibitive data cap (subject to industry standard fair use rules);
- Has a contract in place with the SBVS supplier, which is for a minimum of 12 months and costs no more than £46.10 inc VAT per month.
Q. Can we request vouchers for premises where we already provide a service or coverage to?
A. Yes. As long as the service you currently offer cannot support >30Mbps without a physical upgrade. The new service you provide must deliver a “step change” in connectivity, which at least doubles the speed currently available. Voucher funding can only cover actual costs of the upgrading equipment and installation.
Q. Is there a requirement for us to offer Wholesale pricing on grant-funded sites?
A. No, there is no requirement to offer wholesale pricing on voucher funded sites.
Q. Will there be a requirement to deliver open access?
A. No, there is not a requirement to deliver open access.
Q. Is there any difference in voucher value between business and residential connections as there is with BDUK Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme vouchers?
A. No, there is no difference. It is up to £5,000 for both residential and business premises.
Q. Which premises are eligible to combine with the BDUK Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme?
A. Only premises that are eligible for a SBVS voucher worth up to £5,000 (historically referred to as “main vouchers”) are eligible to be combined with BDUK Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme vouchers. Premises with planned commercial coverage or planned under the R100 main contracts are not SBVS voucher eligible, and therefore cannot be combined with BDUK vouchers.
Q. Is the voucher paid when an eligible home is passed or when the household takes up a service?
A. The premises must have taken up the service and be able to verify that they are receiving a minimum download speed of 30 Mbps before vouchers are paid.
Q. Are premises which have previously benefitted from the UK Government’s Better Broadband Scheme eligible for the SBVS?
A. Yes. As long as the current service cannot support >30Mbps without a physical upgrade. The new service provided must deliver a “step change” in connectivity, which at least doubles the speed currently available. Voucher funding can only cover actual costs of the upgrading equipment and installation.
Q. What is the definition of an eligible premises?
A. The definition of an eligible premises is: a building in the UK which attracts either council tax or business rates.
Last Updated 09 April 2022