Broadband infrastructure in Scotland: public review

2. Key eligibility requirements for subsidy

This section should be read in conjunction with Project Gigabit UK subsidy advice^[4].

The outcome of this PR and the preceding OMR is shown in terms of White, Grey, Black and Under Review premises. We will only subsidise build to premises which have been designated as White.

• White - indicates premises with no gigabit network infrastructure and none is likely to be developed within 3 years. Annex C provides information on the technology ‘qualifying’ as gigabit capable
• Black - indicates premises with two or more qualifying gigabit infrastructures from different suppliers being available, or will be deployed within the coming 3 years
• Grey - indicates premises with a single qualifying gigabit infrastructure from a single supplier is available, or is to be deployed within the coming 3 years
• Under Review - indicates premises where suppliers have reported current or planned commercial broadband coverage, but where claimed current gigabit coverage has not been verified, or, in respect of planned build, where evaluators are confident that gigabit infrastructure will be delivered, but some risks to delivery remain, or there are some gaps in evidence

Premises categorised as Under Review will be subject to continued monitoring and verification of supplier plans within the three-year period by the Scottish Government. We may request commitment from the supplier that significant progress is made within three years. In the event that these commercial plans fall away, these premises will be mapped as eligible and form part of the proposed IA and so eligible for intervention via this aid measure. We request that suppliers inform us regarding all plans, including plans beyond the initial three-year period.

The Scottish Government classifies premises on the basis of their existing or planned broadband infrastructure, as set out in Annexes B and C. The OMR and PR data analysis of supplier’s broadband coverage claims is undertaken at Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) or premises level.

Once the PR has closed, if additional information or clarifications are required, we will raise Clarification Questions with suppliers before deciding on a classification.

Treatment Of vouchers data – Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme and Gigabit Voucher Schemes

Coverage claims received from suppliers using vouchers funding will be evaluated in accordance with the Subsidy Control evaluation process. This means that suppliers' claims will be assessed against the technology solution being gigabit-capable for existing infrastructure.

Typically, vouchers premises will be categorised as follows:

• Projects, or before voucher is issued - White
• Voucher issued - Under Review
• Voucher claimed - Grey

In the case of the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme, the above only applies where a gigabit-capable solution is provided.

Further information on the Subsidy Control evaluation process, including treatment of other publicly-funded intervention data can be found within the Open Market Review and Public Review Subsidy Control Classification Guidance^[5]. Other intervention data includes, but is not limited to:

• Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS)
• Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS), including top-ups
• Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme (DSSB)
• Digital Scotland Reaching 100% Programme (R100)
• Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy (GIS)
• Local Full Fibre Networks Programme (LFFN)
• Rural Gigabit Connectivity (RGC) programme
• GigaHubs
• Other publicly-funded broadband infrastructure projects