Connecting Shropshire programme update, November 2020

Additional funding to support business

• Are you a small business in Shropshire?

• Do you mostly trade with other businesses rather than the general public?

• Do you need a better broadband connection at your business premises?

Eligible businesses could qualify for a £25,000 grant each to 100% fund access to a high-speed broadband connection.

Connecting Shropshire, in partnership with Fastershire and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), have developed the Marches & Gloucestershire Business Broadband Grant scheme. For more details, see: http://connectingshropshire.co.uk/business-broadband-grant/

Superfast broadband coverage

Superfast broadband is defined as a download speed of at least 30mbps.

Independent data from Thinkbroadband™ puts superfast broadband coverage in the Shropshire Council area at 94%, see: https://labs.thinkbroadband.com/local/shropshire,E06000051

In a press release, Shropshire Council has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing superfast broadband to the whole county. To date, over £34m of public funding has provided 68,000 premises with access to a superfast broadband connection. To read the full statement, go to: https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2020/10/shropshire-broadbandspeed/#_ftn1

The Connecting Shropshire broadband coverage map shows whether premises in the Council area currently have access to a superfast broadband connection, whether they are planned for delivery before June 2023, or have no current/planned superfast broadband coverage. More information is available on the website: http://connectingshropshire.co.uk/broadband-coverage-map/

Information and advice for Shropshire Council residents & businesses

If anyone in the Shropshire Council area has a query about the broadband infrastructure available to their home or business, please contact Connecting Shropshire on 01743 252203 or connecting.shropshire@shropshire.gov.uk