Social broadband tariffs not fit for purpose, research by Compare Fibre finds
For immediate release - 11th March 2021
• Data caps mean some social tariffs limit video streaming to as little as one hour per week
• Only one available social tariff is fit for the realities of internet use in 2021
• BT’s social tariff limits data to 15GB a month and is just £9.92 cheaper than Plusnet’s unlimited package
• Compare Fibre is calling for means-tested broadband to ensure society’s most vulnerable have access to reliable and affordable internet
Research by full-fibre broadband specialists, Compare Fibre, has found that just one in four of the available so-called social broadband tariffs is a practical option for modern users. It was found that, of the social tariffs offered by BT, KCOM and Virgin, which are designed to help the UK’s most vulnerable citizens, only one has reliable and usable internet access.
Compare Fibre found that BT’s Basic tariff, which costs £10.07 per month with free installation, caps data use at 15GB per month, enough for just 3.5 hours of standard definition (SD) streaming per week or 1 hour of high definition (HD) streaming per week. This comes despite BT’s sister company, Plusnet, offering a standard tariff for just £9.92 more per month, which offers unlimited data.
However, BT’s social tariff was not the worst: KCOM’s Flex cheaper tariff, which costs £10.00 per month plus a £10.00 installation fee, caps data at 8GB per month. This equates to just 2 hours of SD streaming per week.
Virgin Essential was the only social tariff that offers customers unlimited data usage, but this comes at a cost of £15.00 per month with a £35.00 installation fee.
Nathan Hill-Haimes, Co-Founder of Compare Fibre, said: “The past year has shown us just how crucial access to reliable, fast and affordable broadband is for everyone across the country. While the idea of social broadband tariffs is undoubtedly a good one, the execution by some providers has been exceptionally bad, with some packages from reputable suppliers not offering enough data to even facilitate a day of homeschooling.
“The message to customers is to continue to shop around for the deal that best suits their needs, regardless of whether it is marketed as a social or standard tariff. The best way to ensure you are getting a fair deal is to use a comparison site, like Compare Fibre. The best deal we've seen, if you can get it, is 50Mbps Hyperoptic broadband. Reduced from £22 to £15 a month, if you are on benefits.”
In January this year, Compare Fibre launched a campaign calling for means-tested broadband to ensure that society’s most vulnerable are able to access reliable and affordable broadband.
A full breakdown of Compare Fibre’s findings is below:
• BT Basic social tariff - £10.07 per month with free installation, data capped to 15GB (equal to 3.5 hours’ SD streaming / 1 hour HD streaming per week)
• Virgin Essential social tariff - £15.00 per month plus £35.00 installation fee, unlimited data use
• KCOM Flex social tariff - £10.00 per month plus £10.00 installation fee, data capped to 8GB (equal to 2 hours’ SD / 1 hour HD streaming per week)
• KCOM Flex social tariff - £20.00 per month plus £10.00 installation fee, data capped to 20GB (equal to 4.5 hours’ SD / 1.5 hours’ HD streaming per week)
• Plusnet Broadband standard tariff - £19.99 per month with free installation, unlimited data use
• Origin Broadband standard tariff - £19.99 per month with free installation, unlimited data use
• Hyperoptic 50Mbps - 150Mbps from £15.00 per month
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