Devon & Somerset Rural Connection

The Subsidy

The Rural Connection is the Devon and Somerset County Council’s fantastic new subsidy scheme to help eradicate rural not-spots for homes and businesses in their Counties, and it was launched on 23rd November 2011.

The Deal

A key fact to understand is that the Grant is available on a first come, first served basis. It’s likely to therefore be limited to around just 1,050 homes, households or businesses.

Devon and Somerset Councils have studied the rural areas of their Counties to identify not-spots which receive particularly poor broadband service (less than 2 Mbps). They have initially identified particular areas of North, Central and East Devon and also Wheddon Cross in Exmoor, Somerset.

If you live in these areas, you may be eligible for the grant which covers the whole set-up cost*[2] of Tooway satellite broadband (including standard installation) depending on your postcode.

The scheme is being run in conjunction with a program of free ICT training and support from Devon based ethical IT Company Cosmic to help first time broadband users and businesses get the best out of their new broadband connection and their PC or MAC.

If you want to check if you qualify for the grant contact us online or call us on the number below, or try this simple Post Code checker.

This map also gives an approximate outline of the Post Codes covered by the Rural Connection grant, but please check with the Post Code checker above to see if your actual location is covered.

Devon and Somerset Councils settle the set-up costs with us direct, meaning you don’t have to cash-flow the payment. This includes the cost of the basic hardware and installation.

The monthly on-going airtime subscription to the service isn’t covered by these Councils, but that’s the same as fixed line broadband, and we’ll tell you how to get that FREE*[1] as well through our refer-a-friend-scheme (this is a separate offer unrelated to this Grant).

There’s no long term complicated Toowaydirect contract, or other costs to pay, but to get the subsidy you have to commit to the Rural Connection service for at least 1 year.

The Tooway Solution

Tooway is the very latest high-speed satellite broadband, offering you up to 10.2 Mbps. That’s around 180 times faster than dial up. Toowaydirect has thousands of customers already enjoying the Tooway service.

New customers normally order and pay online here on our website, but if you qualify for the grant, you can have it for FREE*[2]. The service supports Voice over IP services like Skype, and does just about everything a fixed line broadband connection can do, and more.

Tooway is the ideal solution for not-spots in the Counties of Devon and Somerset, and with the Rural Connection Grant, you can now have it with no set-up costs.

What do I do now?

Toowaydirect as always is offering a professionally managed, turn-key service, but you need to act quickly.

All you have to do is call our dedicated Support Desk

They’ll do the rest!

The number to call is 08 44 874 0602

Or contact us online now and we’ll call you back and get your broadband installation underway.

View our Privacy policy (and that of Cosmic Ethical IT & Devon Country Council) on this project.

*[1] FREE airtime via our refer-a-friend scheme is possible when you refer a neighbour or friend who takes out a new Tooway with us. For each new customer you refer we give you one month’s airtime credit whichever tariff you’re on

*[2] If your premises is in a qualifying Post Code the Rural Connection will fund your Tooway set-up costs (standard hardware, connection and installation) but you will have to fund the ongoing satellite broadband subscription (min 1 year contract).