UK broadband providers urge government to make internet affordable for everyone
Major broadband providers and charities in the UK have come together to urge the government to fund affordable broadband so that everyone can afford an internet connection.
In a statement published by the Connection Project, major industry players supported calls for government support in ensuring that the UK’s lowest-income households have a way to remain connected under increasing cost-of-living pressures.
The joint statement is supported by companies and charities that include BT, VodafoneThree, Age UK, Citizens Advice, and Good Things Foundation.
It notes that while UK broadband prices compare relatively well to other countries, and around half a million households already benefit from social tariffs for fixed-line broadband, these are made on a voluntary basis from broadband providers and many households are struggling to pay for connectivity.
The project said more than 400,000 households offline today would be unable to afford even the cheapest social tariff available, also noting that with cost-of-living pressure rising, many more families are already struggling to keep paying for broadband.
The organisations have jointly called on the UK government to ensure that no one is priced out of connectivity by developing a new approach to social support for broadband. This could be the creation of a voucher scheme or similar allowance that is targeted at homes least able to pay for broadband products.
At a minimum, the companies said, this connectivity should be reliable and fast enough to support essential digital activities such as accessing government services.
“We won’t fix this problem alone and we think it’s now time to work with government and charities on a plan for more sustainable interventions that get targeted support to all those households most in need,” BT Group Director of Policy and Public Affairs Alex Towers said.
“We know there are still people for whom even the most affordable tariffs are out of reach,” said VodafoneThree Head of Government Affairs George Robinson.
“This needs a wider solution, and we want to work with government, industry and charities to make sure no one is priced out of essential connectivity.”
