Hull ISP KC Business Offers GBP1000 Installation Discount

The business division of Hull’s incumbent telecoms operator, KC, has confirmed that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that wish to connect with their new Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based Lightstream broadband network can now get an installation discount of up to £1,000.

The move, which is a response to the ending of the Government’s Connection Voucher scheme (here), effectively means that businesses in KC’s existing fibre roll-out areas will pay nothing at all to connect (saving £120 from the normal cost). Other ISPs have also introduced similar promotions.

Alan Worthing, KC’s Director of Business, said:

“The Superfast Britain scheme was an outstanding success. More than 1,000 businesses used vouchers from the Government to switch to our ultrafast Lightstream service and the feedback we’ve received about the positive impact has been tremendous.

However, because the scheme ended with very little notice, we know there are many local businesses – perhaps hundreds – that missed out. We want to help as many local businesses as possible get affordable access to ultrafast connectivity, enabling them to work in new ways to boost productivity, efficiency and profitability.”

Apparently the discount will only be available until 31st December 2015 and there’s a possibility that the Government might announce a new round of extension funding for their original scheme, although has not been confirmed (we might find out next week).

Eligibility Criteria for the KC offer:

* It applies to SMEs that employ fewer than 250 people or volunteers.
* They must have a turnover of less than €50m (around £41m) and/or have a balance sheet of less than €43m (around £35.5m).
* The applicant must be a trading entity – so sole traders are eligible, as are not-for-profit organisations and charities, provided they meet the SME definitions above. People who are employees are not eligible.
* Funding is for connection only and the business must not have previously had a connection voucher through the Government scheme.
* The offer is available across KC’s network in Hull and East Yorkshire.