Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme Closes on 20 November 2026: How to Get Up to £5,000 in Time

Who this is for: Homes and businesses in Scotland with slow broadband, families helping parents or grandparents in rural areas, and community councils keeping neighbours informed. Not sure how fast your line is? Try our free UK Speed Test, then use the official address checker below.

Is the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme really closing on 20 November 2026?

Direct answer: Yes. The Scottish Government says the scheme "will close to new applications on 20 November 2026". Voucher requests submitted before then will still be considered, and existing connections and approved applications are unaffected.

The official pages promise to keep processing only requests submitted "before this date", so a request made on 20 November itself may be too late. Don't leave it to the last few days. A supplier needs time to check your address, talk you through the options and send your details to the Scottish Government, and that's best done in the weeks before, not the hours before. The Scottish Government and mygov.scot both carry the notice.

Could my home or business qualify?

Direct answer: It could, if both of these are true: your broadband is slower than 30 Mbps now, and no faster connection is planned through government programmes or commercial build. The Scottish Government's broadband address checker tells you if your property is eligible.

Businesses can use it too, and so can groups of neighbours, with one catch. Since 19 August 2024, new applications for several properties together have been "temporarily paused" where the plan is a gigabit-capable connection. Single properties can still apply for superfast or gigabit-capable broadband, and groups can still apply for superfast broadband.

How do I get the voucher if I can't apply myself?

Direct answer: Through a registered supplier. You contact suppliers and choose a service, the supplier sends your details to the Scottish Government, and you confirm your choice when the Scottish Government emails you, so the funding can be approved.

If a supplier gets in touch with you first, the choice is still yours. mygov.scot says: "It's up to you if you want to use this supplier. You can contact other suppliers to find the best option."

Which suppliers can I ask, and what can they offer?

Direct answer: The mygov.scot list, last updated 29 January 2026, names 29 registered suppliers, including Openreach and GoFibre. Between them they offer full fibre, fixed wireless, fixed mobile (4G or 5G) and satellite, and which ones work near you depends on where you live.

A voucher doesn't always mean full fibre. Fixed wireless sends broadband over an outdoor wireless network to an antenna on your home, fixed mobile uses a 4G or 5G network, and satellite uses a dish or antenna. Ask each supplier what speed you can expect at your address before you choose.

What does the voucher pay for, and what will I pay?

Direct answer: In most cases the voucher covers the whole cost of installing your connection, up to £5,000. You pay the monthly bill, and the supplier must be able to offer a faster service at £57.60 a month or less.

Businesses get the same voucher. If you're VAT-registered, your supplier can charge VAT on the costs of connecting you, and mygov.scot says you should be able to reclaim it from HMRC.

Is this the same as the UK gigabit voucher?

Direct answer: No. The UK Government's Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, worth up to £4,500, closed to new voucher project submissions on 31 August 2026. Scotland's own scheme closes to new applications on 20 November 2026.

How many homes and businesses has the scheme helped?

Direct answer: 6,322, according to the Scottish Government's R100 data, last updated 25 September 2026. Aberdeenshire has the most voucher connections, at 1,174, followed by Highland at 990.

The voucher scheme works alongside the Scottish Government's R100 programme, whose contracts had delivered 100,217 connections, including additional build, in the same data. In June 2026 the Scottish Government marked "More than 100,000 faster broadband connections" through the £600 million R100 programme. R100 Data insights has figures for every council and constituency.

What can I do if I miss the deadline or don't qualify?

Direct answer: You still have options. Use the address checker to see what's planned for your address, see whether you can request an upgrade under the broadband Universal Service Obligation, and compare 4G, 5G and satellite services at your address.

Project Gigabit in Scotland is aimed at premises outside the R100 contracts and commercial plans, and the Scottish Government says "Further Project Gigabit contracts will see gigabit-capable broadband delivered to tens of thousands more premises across Scotland." So even if the voucher isn't right for you, faster broadband may be on its way, and the address checker has the latest for your address.

How good is broadband in Scotland now?

Direct answer: Most homes are well served. Ofcom says 97% of Scotland could get superfast broadband in July 2025, with 81% of homes able to get gigabit-capable broadband and 71% full fibre. Rural areas are behind, at 87% for superfast.

That still leaves around 10,000 premises without decent broadband, by Ofcom's estimate, which is why help like the voucher scheme matters. Our Connected Nations 2025 guide covers the UK-wide picture.

What should I do this week?

Direct answer: Check your address, contact more than one registered supplier, choose a service, and confirm your supplier when the Scottish Government emails you. Starting now gives everyone time before 20 November.

Keep going: more help for Scottish homes and businesses

Frequently asked questions

When does the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme close?

It closes to new applications on 20 November 2026. The Scottish Government says voucher requests submitted before then will continue to be considered, and existing connections and approved applications are unaffected.

Can I apply for the Scottish broadband voucher myself?

Not on your own. You contact registered suppliers and choose a service, then the supplier sends your details to the Scottish Government. When the Scottish Government emails you, you confirm your choice of supplier so the funding can be approved.

How much is the Scottish broadband voucher worth?

Up to £5,000. The Scottish Government says it "covers all direct installation costs carried out by a registered supplier", and mygov.scot says it covers the total cost of installing your connection in most cases.

Who is eligible for the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme?

Homes and businesses whose current broadband is under 30 Mbps, where no faster connection is planned through government programmes or commercial build. The Scottish Government's broadband address checker confirms whether your property is eligible.

Does the voucher pay my monthly broadband bill?

No. mygov.scot says: "The voucher will not cover your monthly broadband service charges."

How much will I pay each month?

That's up to you and your supplier, but the supplier must be able to offer a faster service that costs no more than £57.60 a month. You can choose to pay more.

Do I have to stay with the supplier?

Yes, for at least a year. The supplier who installs your connection also supplies your broadband for a minimum of one year, and leaving in the first year might mean a fee and repaying the value of the voucher.

Can businesses use the Scottish broadband voucher?

Yes. The scheme is open to homes and businesses. If you're a VAT-registered business, your supplier can charge VAT on its costs, which you should be able to reclaim from HMRC.

How long does installation take?

Registered suppliers have up to 12 months to install a connection. When your service is live, the Scottish Government emails you, and you reply so your supplier receives the voucher payment.

Will the voucher get me full fibre?

Not always. The 29 registered suppliers offer full fibre, fixed wireless, fixed mobile (4G or 5G) and satellite, and what's available depends on where you live.

Is the Scottish voucher the same as the UK Gigabit Broadband Voucher?

No. The UK Government's Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme is separate, worth up to £4,500, and closed to new voucher project submissions on 31 August 2026.

What can I do if I miss the 20 November deadline?

Use the address checker to see what's planned for your address. If you can't get 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload, you may be able to request an upgraded connection under the broadband Universal Service Obligation. You can also compare 4G, 5G and satellite services that may work at your address.

References

• Building Digital UK. (2026, September 2). Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme information. GOV.UK. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gigabit-broadband-voucher-scheme-information
• mygov.scot. (2026a, January 29). Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-broadband-voucher-scheme
• mygov.scot. (2026b, January 29). Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme: How to apply for your voucher. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-broadband-voucher-scheme/use-voucher
• mygov.scot. (2026c, January 29). Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme: Registered suppliers. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-broadband-voucher-scheme/registered-suppliers
• mygov.scot. (2026d, January 29). Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme: What to do if a supplier contacts you. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-broadband-voucher-scheme/what-to-do-if-supplier-contacts-you
• Narayan, K. (2026, February 23). Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme [Answer to written question 112693]. UK Parliament. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-02-11/112693/
• Ofcom. (2020, March 20). Broadband universal service goes live: Advice for customers. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/access-to-decent-broadband/broadband-uso-advice
• Ofcom. (2025, November 19). Connected Nations 2025: Scotland report. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/research-and-data/multi-sector/infrastructure-research/connected-nations-2025/connected-nations-2025-scotland-report.pdf
• Scottish Government. (n.d.-a). Faster broadband in Scotland: Check if you can get faster broadband. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://broadbandchecker.service.gov.scot/
• Scottish Government. (n.d.-b). R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme supplier portal. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://broadband.gov.scot/
• Scottish Government. (n.d.-c). Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme. Digital Connectivity. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://digitalconnectivity.campaign.gov.scot/sbvs
• Scottish Government. (2020, August 18). Delivering R100 [Press release]. gov.scot. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.gov.scot/news/delivering-r100/
• Scottish Government. (2023, November 3). Reaching 100% (R100) rollout and the online address checker: FOI release. gov.scot. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.gov.scot/publications/reaching-100-r100-rollout-and-the-online-address-checker-foi-release/
• Scottish Government. (2024a, October 15). The Reaching 100% (R100) broadband project: FOI release. gov.scot. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400432954/
• Scottish Government. (2024b, April 11). R100 broadband scheme: FOI release. gov.scot. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400400741/
• Scottish Government. (2026a, January 21). Gigabit boost for Dumfries & Galloway [Press release]. gov.scot. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.gov.scot/news/gigabit-boost-for-dumfries-galloway/
• Scottish Government. (2026b, June 7). 100,000 connections bring faster broadband [Press release]. gov.scot. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://www.gov.scot/news/100-000-connections-bring-faster-broadband/
• Scottish Government. (2026c, September 25). R100 Data insights. Digital Connectivity. Retrieved 20 October 2026, from https://digitalconnectivity.campaign.gov.scot/data-insights

Written by Dr Alex J. Martin-Smith, Founder of BroadbandSwitch.uk (LinkedIn). Reviewed by Adrian James, Broadband Editor. Published 20 October 2026. On 20 October 2026 we read the Scottish Government's Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme page, R100 Data insights and supplier portal, every mygov.scot page on the scheme including the registered suppliers table, the gov.scot press releases and FOI releases quoted, Ofcom's Connected Nations 2025 Scotland report and USO advice, GOV.UK's voucher page and the UK Parliament answer on the UK scheme. Supplier counts are our own count from the mygov.scot table. This is general information, not professional advice. Corrections are logged publicly.