- New deals mean many NHS frontline staff get data, texts and calls at no extra cost
- New mobile and landline packages to help vulnerable consumers stay connected
- Follows commitments made by UK's major internet service and mobile providers
More companies have agreed to give NHS frontline staff across the UK who are existing customers the data, texts and calls they need at no additional cost. Other measures include a move to prioritise broadband upgrades for NHS clinicians working from home.
Other firms are committing to work with customers who find it difficult to pay their bill as a result of coronavirus, remove data allowances on fixed broadband services and offer generous new mobile and landline packages.
The move follows two previous announcements that the UK's major internet service and mobile providers had agreed commitments to support and protect vulnerable consumers and the NHS.
Matt Warman, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, said:
Our telecoms industry is doing vital work keeping the UK connected. I thank all the companies and workers doing their bit for the national effort and to support the NHS.
Today a number of providers have agreed new commitments so vulnerable consumers and frontline NHS staff have an extra level of support with their mobile and broadband connections.
Supporting the NHS
Post Office, Voneus, Community Fibre, Spectrum, Wightfibre, Ask4, Zzoom, Lycamobile and iD mobile, have agreed, for some or all of the Covid-19 period, to support NHS workers by:
- Giving NHS frontline staff, who are existing customers, the data, texts and calls they need at no additional cost;
- Prioritising broadband upgrades for NHS clinicians working from home;
- Improving connectivity for care homes with slow or no broadband connections, wherever possible.
Some of the above providers who have also signed up to the vulnerable consumer commitments are offering more generous mobile data allowances. This should help patients who can only use their mobile phones for video consultations.
Supporting vulnerable consumers
Post Office, Voneus, Community Fibre, Spectrum, Tesco Mobile, iD Mobile and giffgaff will support vulnerable consumers by:
Committing to work with customers who find it difficult to pay their bill as a result of Covid-19 to ensure that they are treated fairly and appropriately supported; - Removing data allowances on fixed broadband services; - Offering new, generous mobile and landline packages to help people stay connected; - Providing alternative means of communication to vulnerable consumers and those self-isolating if priority repairs to fixed broadband and landlines cannot be completed.
FURTHER QUOTES
Andrew Glover, Chair of Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) said:
ISPA supports these measures and have been working with our broader membership on how vulnerable consumers and NHS staff can be provided with the support they need at this time. We are delighted that more of our members are able to commit publicly to these important schemes.
This all comes in addition to a lot of work that broadband providers have been doing behind the scenes to keep the country connected, from connecting new hospitals to supporting those working and learning from home.
Meredith Sharples, Director for Telecoms at the Post Office said:
NHS workers have given their all in this pandemic and we are pleased to support them where we can. We will offer NHS home working clinicians an upgrade to our best service available so that they can continue to deliver their outstanding work. Being able to easily stay in contact with others, whether it's for work or for personal reasons, is key to getting through this public health emergency and we are determined to continue supporting our customers to do that.
Tom Denyard, CEO of Tesco Mobile said:
It's our privilege to be able to help people stay connected, especially our frontline NHS staff and vulnerable customers. We want to do all we can to help those that have been impacted by the crisis, as well as recognising our incredible NHS workers for everything they've done and continue to do.
We hope our Little Helps offer some comfort during this difficult time, but if customers need support or are worried about anything on their account, we encourage them to
