Broadband is now a vital service with it not only keeping people entertained but also connected to friends and family. However, with the cost of living crisis hitting wallets hard, it seems many are now struggling to stay online.
Recent stats from Citizen Advice show that around one million homes have cancelled their broadband access over the past 12 months as it’s simply become too expensive to keep running.
With most high-speed connections costing over £35 per month that may not be a surprise but there is a simple check anyone struggling can make to get broadband at a much cheaper price.
Many of those who have recently gone offline are thought to be claiming Universal Credit and that means they will be eligible for so-called Social Tariffs.
These plans start from as little as £10 per month and whilst they only offer basic speeds it does means homes stay connected. UK regulator Ofcom recently revealed that only a tiny majority of those eligible for Social Tariffs had taken out cheaper plans.
The low uptake has been blamed on Internet Service Providers (ISPs) not making their Social Tariffs easily accessible or well advertised.
Luckily, there is a very simple way to check prices and see if your ISP has a low-cost tariff that you can sign up for.
Ofcom has a dedicated webpage showing every UK plan plus a link to the provider’s website. YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE PLANS HERE
Plans currently available include:
• BT Home Essentials • £15 - 36 Mbps speeds
• EE Basics • £12 - 25 Mbps speeds
• VOXI For Now • £10 - 5G mobile speeds
• Vodafone Essentials Broadband • £12 - 38 Mbps speeds
• Virgin Media Essential Broadband • £12.50 - 15 Mbps speeds
“Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband,” Ofcom explained.
“They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price. Amid rising living costs, Ofcom is encouraging companies to offer social tariffs to help customers on low incomes.”
Not knowing about these plans could leave some disconnecting from the web when they don’t actually need to.
Speaking about the issue, Dame Clare Moriarty, Citizens Advice chief executive said: “People are being priced out of internet access at a worrying rate.
“Social tariffs should be the industry’s safety net, but firms’ current approach to providing and promoting them clearly isn’t working. The people losing out as a result are the most likely to disconnect.
“As providers continue to drag their feet in making social tariffs a success, it’s clear that Ofcom needs to hold firms’ feet to the fire.”
