B4RN Project Funding

Project Funding

A B4RN project is mostly funded by UK government vouchers, grants and community investment.

What is it?

B4RN (Broadband for the Rural North Ltd) is a registered supplier with the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS)

The funding is provided by the UK government.

We aim to upgrade homes and SME (small to medium-sized enterprise) businesses to gigabit-capable broadband.

Each successful application is worth thousands of pounds towards a project (businesses are worth more).

Eligibility

All homes and business must sign-up for 12 months service to take part in the scheme.

Any home or business subject to a voucher application must be receiving a broadband speed of under 1Gbps.

Other business-only rules apply relating to an SME’s size, accounts and previous State Aid.

For further information, please see our Vouchers page

Investment

UK government funding usually covers much of the build cost, with the shortfall raised by local community investment (you do not have to invest to get a B4RN connection).

Shares are held for a minimum 3 years (then they can be withdrawn by the shareholder) and have an attractive return (currently 5% per annum).

Invest £1,500 in a single transaction before you go live and the connection fee (£60) is waived.

Investment of £100 or more (100 or more shares) makes you a member which allows you to vote at our AGM.

For further information, please see our Investors page

Grants

Across the UK there are many small charities and trusts that provide grants for the benefit of local residents and community groups. They may be connected to:

Churches
Schools
Parish Councils
District or County Councils
Private Trusts

Gavin And Belinda Second Nature Smallban

Stories from out in the field from our very happy customers

One residential customer in Over Kellet used to know whether it was worth firing up her computer by looking out of her front window to see what the weather was doing with her telephone line.