BT launching broadband tariff for low income homes
May 4, 2021
BT has revealed it will launch BT Home Essentials in June, a social tariff connecting those on low income with affordable fibre broadband and calls.
The new low cost tariff comes as BT research reveals that since the pandemic, almost three quarters (74 per cent) of Brits would not find it easy to improve their financial situation without connectivity, and the majority (79 per cent) of financially vulnerable people rely on broadband connectivity to manage household finances.
Available exclusively to those on Universal Credit and a range of other means-tested benefits, BT Home Essentials is a separate and improved social tariff compared to BT’s initial version, BT Basic, launched in 2008. Home Essentials provides an average of 36 Mbps download speeds and 700 minutes of calls for £15 a month, around half the price of a standard fibre and calls package. Alternatively, eligible customers can also opt for average speeds of 67 Mbps and unlimited calls for £20 per month. The lowest price equivalent standard BT broadband package costs £32.99 a month, with an additional £15 for an unlimited calls plan – this means BT Home Essentials customers choosing the £20 option can save over £330 a year.
Marc Allera, CEO, BT’s Consumer division, said, “Fast, reliable connectivity has never been as important as it is today, with millions of people relying upon our networks to get back on their feet after the pandemic. We want to help as many people as we can, which is why at the end of June we’ll be launching BT Home Essentials, increasing the eligibility of our social tariff to include all customers on Universal Credit. BT Home Essentials will be available at half the price of our standard fibre package, helping a potential four million households on low income save on bills and stay connected to vital online services.”