Connect Westminster: how the £2,000 fibre grant scheme worked

Stream Networks partnered with Westminster City Council to deliver the Connect Westminster Scheme, helping local businesses access faster, more reliable broadband. Eligible businesses in Westminster could claim a grant of up to £2,000 towards upgrading to an ultra-fast dedicated fibre connection.

What the grant covered

The scheme supported businesses moving onto dedicated fibre connectivity with speeds from a minimum of 30Mbs up to a full 1000Mbs, bringing several benefits:

• Super-fast fibre speeds — reliable, low-latency connectivity ideal for VoIP and video.
• Enhanced service levels — a 6-clock-hour fix to major service outage, with the option to add fibre backup for a 100% uptime guarantee.
• 24x7x365 support — proactive monitoring from Stream's Network Operations Centre in Newbury via the Cascade customer portal.
• Cost savings — up to £2,000 off fibre connectivity costs compared to standard market pricing.

Who was eligible

The scheme was open to SMEs, registered charities, social enterprises and sole traders within specific Westminster and Camden postcode areas, subject to a number of conditions:

• Business type — an SME with fewer than 250 employees and annual turnover under €50 million (or balance sheet under €43 million).
• Installation value — the new connection installation had to exceed £100, at the business's main premises.
• Contract term — a minimum 6-month contract, typically 12 or 36 months.
• Speed uplift — the new service had to at least double the download speed of the existing connection, with a path to 1Gbs.
• State aid limit — businesses could not have received more than €200,000 in de minimis aid over the previous 3 years.

Still need faster connectivity?

Although the Connect Westminster grant window has closed, Stream Networks continues to own and operate a purpose-built fibre network for business, with 24x7x365 UK-based technical support. Whether you're inside or outside the original scheme area, our Fibre Leased Line packages can get your business onto dedicated, resilient connectivity.