Project Gigabit Delivery Plan update Autumn 2022
BDUK have shared full details about the changes they are making to the voucher scheme which have been shared in the Project Gigabit Delivery Plan – Autumn Update 2022 published on Thursday 1 December.
They are:
- increasing standard maximum voucher values for residents and businesses from £1,500 and £3,500 respectively to £4,500 for both audiences
- changing the eligibility criteria they use to assess whether gigabit broadband is already available to access or planned at an address to determine whether it is eligible for voucher funding. Instead of using Ofcom broadband coverage data they will use the data captured through our National Rolling Open Market Review (OMR) and Public Reviews (PRs) alongside the assessments which they have used to inform their Project Gigabit procurement planning. For Scotland and Northern Ireland they will continue to use Ofcom data until the appropriate equivalent data is available in either country
- introducing a new funding platform for suppliers to submit and manage voucher projects, voucher requests and claims for payments
- updating their terms and conditions to reflect the changes to the voucher scheme
The changes will apply to new projects only from 5 December. Suppliers will be able to submit new projects via the new platform once they are migrated. Suppliers will be migrated to the new platform from 5 December to 23 January.
All live top-ups will be paused for new projects from 5 December until local councils advise whether they wish to keep, change or close their current top-ups and sign new or updated local authority agreements. BDUK will contact councils with top-ups separately to initiate discussions.
Read more in a comprehensive voucher relaunch FAQ.