Broadband competition for event venues
The UK government has launched a competition for event venues across the UK to apply for funding to improve broadband infrastructure.
Documents
Details
As part of the Tourism Sector Deal and the UK Government’s International Business Events Action Plan which were both published on 28th June, DCMS has launched a new £250 000 scheme to improve broadband connectivity in event venues, enabling them to receive full fibre access. The UK Government is aware that one of the key factors in choosing a destination for hosting events is the quality of infrastructure, with digital connectivity playing a key role. This competition targets venues with conference facilities that traditionally bid for - or plan to bid for - events which attract international delegates. For the purpose of this competition, an ‘international event’ is one where at least 30% of the total delegates/visitors attending in person are international (non-UK) visitors.
We will fund a number of projects with a combined total of £250 000. Exact costs will vary between locations, however the average value per project will be approximately £30 000. DCMS reserves the right to fund projects below or exceeding £30 000 based on the relevant project costs.
DCMS reserves the right not to allocate all of the funding in the event that there are insufficient qualifying conference centres to take up all of the funding. Each winner will receive a portion of the £250 000 fund (subject to the additional conditions set out below) and support from Building Digital UK (BDUK) to purchase upgraded connectivity, using either an existing contract, or a competitive procurement. The upgraded connectivity will be in the form of new Gigabit capable infrastructure, which will support new services so that venues will be able to support additional services, for example increased wifi capacity, more interactive content and live streaming.
Eligibility criteria
- event venue must be in the United Kingdom
- event venue must have a capacity of 400+ delegates *event venue must have bid for at least one international event in the past year, where at least 30% of the total delegates/visitors attending in person were international (non-UK) visitors
- if the venue has not bid for at least one international event in the past year where at least 30% of the total delegates/visitors attending in person were international (non-UK) visitors, but can demonstrate plans to do so in the next year, they may apply
- applicants must confirm that they will cover any shortfall if the final cost differs from the supplier quote that they will provide
- applicants must have the capacity to, and can confirm preparedness to, stimulate demand locally for the LFFN Gigabit Voucher Scheme
- the event venue must not have received over €200 000 in De minimis State aid over three fiscal years, following the De minimis Regulation
- DCMS will not connect buildings that already have access to commercial fibre to the premise i.e where the venue can contact a supplier to make the final connection
Prioritisation criteria
The prioritisation criteria will be applied only to eligible projects, to identify the projects that are awarded funding. The successful projects will be chosen via a standardised points-based system. In the event of a tie on the first sift, a second sift will take place.
1st sift
| Prioritisation criteria | Weighting (1-5 points) |
|---|---|
| Preference will be given to venues that have hosted an event in the past year where 50% of attendees were international visitors. If the event venue has not hosted an event in the past year where 50% of attendees were international visitors, preference will be given to venues that can demonstrate plans to bid for at least one event in the next year that would attract at least 50% international visitors | 5 |
| Preference will be given to venues that host international events which last 3+ days | 4 |
| Preference will be given to venues hosting international events that align with one or more of the Government’s priority industry sectors | 1 |
| Preference will be given to venues that currently have sub-superfast, or non ultrafast broadband | 2 |
2nd sift
| Prioritisation criteria | Weighting (1-5 points) |
|---|---|
| Preference will be given to venues in a rural classification area | 1 |
| Preference will be given to venues demonstrating the capability and capacity to manage a project and procure an upgrade that can be delivered and paid for by March 2021 | 2 |
| Preference will be given to venues that are willing to match-fund a proportion (up to 50%) of the capital cost of the upgrade themselves | 3 |
| Preference will be given to venues to ensure a regional spread across the UK | 2 |
In the event that a project that has been awarded funding ends up not using the funding (e.g. because the project is not implemented), DCMS reserves the right to award funding to the relevant next highest ranked applicant following the application of the above prioritisation criteria.
Applications
The application process is now open and the deadline for applications is at 11:59pm on Friday 27th September 2019. Award of funding will be subject to the following additional conditions:
- DCMS value for money assessment of the proposed infrastructure costs
- DCMS project assurance process
- satisfactory completion of compliant procurement
- execution of, and compliance with, a grant agreement (including invoice checks)
- reporting metrics - there will be some conditional information gathering, which will be required from your eventual supplier in relation to your Gigabit capable connection
The application form is a google form. Once you have started the form you cannot save and exit - it must be completed in one sitting. There are four sections. We have attached a PDF version in order for you to be able to view all of the questions before you begin.
If you have questions regarding the competition or your application, please contact LFFN@culture.gov.uk. We ask applicants to provide evidence as part of the application form. Please send PDF attachments to LFFN@culture.gov.uk on the same day that you submit your application.
The broadband competition for event venues (including the participation of applicants) is subject to the legal notices as set out in the attachment.