How to use SBVS

Apply to SBVS

To apply for the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme you need to liaise with one of our registered suppliers. Here’s how to do it (desktop users click to expand images):

When a supplier contacts you

If a registered supplier contacts you about using your voucher to supply you with a broadband service, here’s what to do (desktop users click to expand images):

Read the transcripts

How to apply for SBVS

1. Step 1. Check if you’re eligible for the voucher scheme by entering your postcode into the address checker on scotlandsuperfast.com.
2. You should be eligible if you’re not in current build plans of any commercial operators or the Reaching 100% contracts.
3. Finding a supplier. A supplier applies for a voucher on your behalf. The voucher – which is funded by the Scottish Government – works by providing your supplier with up to £5,000 to connect your property to superfast broadband. When you find a supplier who can provide you with a service, they claim the funding from the Scottish Government on your behalf.
4. How do you know that we’ve got the right data? We take data from Ofcom and a wide range of commercial operators to understand the broadband status of around 2.8 million premises across Scotland. We try to be as accurate as we can, but there can occasionally be discrepancies in the data. If you think that this is the case, please get in touch and we’ll check for you.
5. Active suppliers. The address checker will let you know which suppliers are active in your area. Speaking to a supplier is a good starting point and will help you better understand your options, however, we can’t guarantee that your preferred supplier can reach your property. You may need to approach more than one supplier to find the best option for your home or business.
6. Registered suppliers. If there are no active suppliers in your area, check the full list of all R100 SBVS registered suppliers and the different technologies that might be available to you. This should help you make a realistic assessment of which technologies are likely to be available where you live.
7. Your supplier will talk you through options and costs. When you contact a registered supplier, they’ll tell you about the services they offer and how much they cost. You may opt to pay more, however the supplier must be able to offer you a superfast broadband service that costs no more than £56.20 per month. This fee is in line with Ofcom’s affordability threshold for the broadband Universal Service Obligation. Some suppliers may charge a one-off installation fee, but many who use the scheme waive this cost. Your supplier should clearly explain any fees at the outset before you sign up to a contract.
8. Once you’ve agreed to take a service from a supplier, they’ll contact us with your details and we’ll email you to confirm that you’d like your supplier to use your voucher funding. Once you’ve confirmed that you want to take a service from your chosen supplier, we’ll approve your voucher and they can begin work. Registered suppliers have up to 12 months to install a service. Most of the time it’s quicker than this, but it can depend upon the technology being used.
9. Your contract. You’ll enter into a commercial contract with your supplier, as is normal when buying a broadband service. We’re not party to this contract, but we do ensure that the most they can charge for a minimum 12 month superfast broadband contract is £54 per month. Suppliers may also offer you packages that cost more and provide faster speeds, but this decision is yours.
10. Once you’re live. We’ll get in touch to confirm your service is live. Once your broadband service is live, your supplier will let us know. We’ll then email you to confirm this. For your supplier to receive payment from the Scottish Government, it’s important that you confirm with us that your service is live when we ask you.
11. Your supplier will claim from us the capital costs of connecting your broadband. You’ll not be asked to fund any further costs other than those you agree directly with your supplier when taking out a service. In a few cases – usually only with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) broadband – the cost may exceed the maximum value of the voucher. If this happens your supplier must agree these with you and inform us before applying for voucher approval.
12. If you’re a VAT registered business, your supplier can charge you for VAT on the costs that they incurred while connecting you. You should be able to reclaim this from HMRC.

When a supplier contacts you

1. A registered supplier may contact you to let you know that you’re eligible for a voucher and that they can use it to give you access to a broadband service. This is ok – we encourage registered suppliers to reach out to eligible homes and businesses to help increase broadband coverage, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas. You’re under no obligation to use the service being offered. The decision whether to use your voucher is entirely yours.
2. Taking a service from a registered supplier. If you agree to take a service from a registered supplier, they’ll contact us with your details. We’ll then email you to confirm that you’d like the supplier to use your voucher funding.
3. Once we receive your confirmation, we’ll approve the use of your voucher, and your supplier will install your service. Registered suppliers have up to 12 months to install a service. Most of the time it’s quicker than this, but it can depend on the technology being used.
4. Your contract. You’ll enter into a commercial contract with your supplier, as is normal when buying a broadband service. We’re not party to this contract, but we do ensure that the most they can charge for a minimum 12 month contract is £56.20 per month. Suppliers may also offer packages that cost more and provide faster speeds, but this decision is yours.
5. Once you’re live. We’ll get in touch to confirm your service is live. Once your broadband service is live your supplier will let us know. We’ll then email you to confirm this. For your supplier to receive payment from the Scottish Government, it’s important that you confirm with us your service is live when we ask you.
6. Your supplier will claim from us the capital costs of connecting your broadband. You’ll not be asked to fund any further costs other than those you agree directly with your supplier when taking out a service. In a few cases – usually only with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) broadband – the cost may exceed the maximum value of the voucher. If this happens your supplier must agree these with you and inform us before applying for voucher approval.
7. If you’re a VAT registered business, your supplier can charge you for VAT on the costs that they incurred while connecting you. You should be able to reclaim this from HMRC.