Residents, businesses and communities across Bath and North East Somerset could get up to £500 to help boost their broadband speeds from under 2Mbps to over 10Mbps.

Anyone eligible (with a current broadband speed of under 2Mbps) could benefit from a new broadband voucher scheme being offered through the Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) programme.

The Connecting Devon and Somerset Partnership has committed to bringing broadband to everyone within the programme area. If you are not yet able to receive broadband speeds of over 2Mbps, you may be able to get connected through the CDS voucher scheme. The scheme will provide a subsidy of up to £500, in the form of a voucher code, to fund the installation of a new broadband connection. Each premises can choose their supplier from those listed on the website: www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk/cds-broad band-voucher-scheme with every solution guaranteeing a minimum of 10Mbps download speed.

Through the Partnership, Bath and North East Somerset Council is working to

improve rural broadband services. The £94m project aims to provide superfast broadband to 90% of properties across Devon, Somerset, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset by the end of 2016. The initiative has seen the installation of thirteen new broadband cabinets – opening up superfast broadband to over 3,700 homes across villages including Saltford, Timsbury, High Littleton, Radford, Tunley, Camerton, Farmborough and Chew Magna.

The scheme will run for one year up until March 2017 and is open to individual

residents, small businesses and communities. For more details, visit: www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk/cds-broadband-voucher-scheme