Industry must build awareness of social tariffs, says new Rebel Alliance

The broadband industry must do its part to help with the cost of living crisis by educating customers on the social tariffs available to them, according to the newly formed ‘Rebel Alliance’ in its industry-wide call to action.

The Rebel Alliance, a five strong consortia, comprised of Gigabit Networks, Triangle Networks, Air Broadband, Highnet and Trunk Networks, cites OFCOM research that special discounted broadband packages are available to an estimated 4.2 million households in receipt of Universal Credit, however only 1.2% have taken this up.

According to the Rebel Alliance’s manifesto, the industry must better educate the public on the offers available to them.

David Yates, CEO of Gigabit Networks said: “At a time of rising household costs across the board, we in the Rebel Alliance think that this is totally unacceptable and it is incumbent on the entire industry, which includes the infrastructure firms, to work together to increase internet affordability and make social tariffs readily available across the board to those who are eligible for them.”

This view was shared by Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom’s Network and Communications Group Director, who said: “Special discounts can make all the difference, and too many broadband firms are failing either to promote their social tariff or to offer one at all. We expect companies to step up support for those on low incomes, and we’ll be watching their response.”