Vodafone launches ‘most affordable on market’ social broadband tariff to help those on benefits
Vodafone has launched what it claims is the most affordable social broadband tariff on the market at £12 a month.
Vodafone Essentials Broadband is not only available to people on Job Seekers Allowance and Universal Credit, but also those on Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
Customers can join without a set-up fee, leave for free at any time and won’t be subject to in-contract price changes.
The plan gives access to Vodafone’s Fibre 1 or Full Fibre 1 Essentials Broadband plan for 12 months, providing fast connectivity, with average download speeds of 38Mbps.
The move comes as new research commissioned by Vodafone found a million working families are at risk of falling the wrong side of the digital divide in the next three months due to the rising cost of living, according to n
The YouGov research and forecasts by Development Economics predicts families stand to lose £286 a month without access to the best prices and deals online.
For small business owners, Vodafone will offer free broadband for a year to help mitigate rising costs and help businesses stay connected to customers.
This comes as new research commissioned by Vodafone shows more than a third (35%) have admitted to downgrading, cancelling or considering cancelling their broadband to save money.
The new support package offers Vodafone’s business-grade broadband free for 12-months on a 24-month plan, and is available to new customers and existing customers who are eligible to upgrade.
Ahmed Essam, Vodafones UK CEO, said: “The rising cost of living is putting a million families at risk of falling on the wrong side of the digital divide. We must not allow this to happen.
“So as part of our everyone.connected programme, today we are launching Vodafone Essentials Broadband at just £12 a month, the cheapest on the market, and 12 months free broadband for small businesses. Vodafone is the only network provider to offer social tariffs across fixed and mobile, meaning eligible customers can access mobile and broadband connectivity for 72p a day.
“These new tariffs complement VOXI for Now and the 750,000 free SIMS we’ve donated so far as part of our everyone.connected programme. We’re on track to meet our commitment to donate a million connections by the end of this year and will continue to put the cause at the heart of our business until the problem no longer exists.”
‘Struggling to pay’
The YouGov research of over 2,000 UK adults revealed the extent people rely on connectivity to save money, with the majority (70%) claiming they’re the same (37%) or better off by shopping online (33%) and 29% saying they have been turning to the internet more to help save money during the cost of living crisis.
When it comes to bills, 16% of respondents say they are struggling to pay due to the crisis, and 42% expect to struggle. Almost half (45%) say they know someone who is struggling, and two thirds (66%) say they will be struggling in one to six months’ time.
moneysavingexpert.com has compared all social tariffs on the market
| Provider and tariff | Monthly price | Speed | Eligibility (in receipt of the following benefits) | How to get it |
| Air Broadband Air Support | £20 | 100Mb | – No set list; contact Air Broadband directly to check if you’re eligible | Call 01223 606 828 or email support@airbroadband.co.uk. You’ll need to provide a proof of benefits letter (or equivalent) |
| BT Home Essentials (i) | £15 + one-off £9.99 fee | 36Mb | – Employment and support allowance (income-based) – Guarantee credit element of pension credit – Income support – Jobseeker’s allowance (income-based) – Universal credit |
Apply online at BT or in store. You’ll need to provide your National Insurance number |
| £20 + one-off £9.99 fee | 67Mb | |||
| Country Connect Social Tariff | £15 | 50Mb | – Employment and support allowance (income-based) – Guarantee credit element of pension credit – Income support – Jobseeker’s allowance (income-based) – Universal credit |
Call 0163 353 0519. You’ll need to provide your National Insurance number |
| Hyperoptic Fair Fibre | £15 | 50Mb | – Attendance allowance – Care leavers support – Employment and support allowance (income-based) – Housing benefit – Income support – Jobseeker’s allowance (income-based) – Pension credit – Personal independence payment – Universal credit |
Call 0203 318 3209 or email support@hyperoptic.com. You’ll need to provide evidence of your benefits |
| £25 | 150Mb | |||
| Now Broadband Basics (existing Now broadband customers only) | £20 | 36Mb | – Pension credit – Universal credit |
Call 0333 759 5056. You’ll need to provide evidence of your benefits |
| Sky Broadband Basics (existing Sky broadband customers only) | £20 for 18 months (ii)
|
36Mb | – Pension credit – Universal credit |
Call 0333 759 3881. You’ll need to provide your National Insurance number |
| Virgin Media Essential | £12.50 | 15Mb | – Universal credit | Existing customers: Fill in online form New customers: Apply online You’ll need to provide a screenshot of your online universal credit account |
| £20 | 50Mb | 50Mb plan expected to launch in November – can’t apply yet | ||
| Vodafone Essentials Broadband | £12 | 38Mb | – Disability allowance – Employment and support allowance – Jobseekers allowance – Personal independence payment |
Complete this online form. |
| TalkTalk | Free for 6mths (iii) | 38Mb | – Jobseekers on universal credit who don’t have an internet connection | Job centre staff will determine eligibility |
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