Openreach waives superfast broadband connection fees for low-income households

The BT-owned firm estimates that new eligible customers could save up to £92.

Jamie Harris
Tuesday 07 September 2021 11:42 EDT
It is estimated that new eligible customers could save up to £92 (Joe Giddens/PA)
It is estimated that new eligible customers could save up to £92 (Joe Giddens/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Openreach will waive connection fees for access to its superfast broadband network for those who receive Universal Credit with no other earnings.

The BT-owned firm said new eligible customers from October 5 could save up to £92 for installation charges, but it will be up to their provider to pass on the savings.

More on broadband: Compare providers and find the best deal for you with our fibre broadband offers page

Openreach manages the telephone cables, ducts, cabinets and exchanges that connect much of the UK, which companies including Sky and TalkTalk use for their own broadband customers.

It is estimated that around one million people throughout the country could benefit.

The move comes after Ofcom recently highlighted affordability as a barrier for some households, meaning people not online “are likely to experience the greatest harm”.

A report by the regulator stated that a good broadband connection can provide “better access to education and employment opportunities, as well as wider benefits such as social inclusion”.

Digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman welcomed the announcement, saying: “We have been working closely with Openreach and the wider sector to build a broadband market where cost is not a constraint to getting online.

“This welcome step will help people struggling with bills access the connectivity they need to thrive in today’s digital age.”

Connection providers usually take the charge and factor it into their own product and service prices.

Openreach said firms could pass on the saving by making it cheaper for low-income households to get online upfront or over the course of their contract term.

Katie Milligan, Openreach’s managing director for customer, commercial and propositions, said: “We hope this offer complements the range of existing support from providers across the industry and helps people who aren’t already online to start benefiting from the wealth of information, connectivity and opportunities that great broadband can deliver.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in