15
November
2022
|
11:30
Europe/London

Opening up our network with EE's new Basics mobile social tariff

Summary

By Nick Lane, MD Customer Services, BT Consumer

These are very challenging times for a lot of people. Fast, reliable connectivity has never been as important as it is today, with millions relying on our networks in their day-to-day lives so they can learn, work and access essential services – not to mention entertainment.

We know from our own research that three-quarters of British adults believe it would be hard to improve their financial situation without connectivity, whether that’s being able to do something as simple as pay a bill online all the way through to applying for, and being connected to, a new job.

We want to help as many people as we can change that, whether they’re at home or on the move. Today, we’re launching our new EE Basics social tariff for mobile. We want to make the connectivity so many of us rely on affordable for all, whether it’s via home phone, mobile or broadband. And we are focused on providing connectivity support for those who need it the most.

Mobile Basics is a £12 per month, 30-day SIM-only package giving customers access to the UK’s best mobile network for an affordable price, for customers who receive certain means-tested benefits. It’s a social tariff on a premium network – customers can use our 5G network if they have a 5G handset.

It is just one of the things we are doing across our business to support customers who need extra help.

Mobile Basics joins our market-leading social broadband tariff Home Essentials, connecting those on low income with affordable, fast broadband and calls from just £15 a month – a price we froze earlier this year. It’s available exclusively to those on Universal Credit and a range of other means-tested benefits.

We already support nearly 1 million customers with subsidised or discount tariffs, and the number of customers taking Home Essentials has doubled in the past two quarters because of proactive conversations with customers we believe are eligible. EE, BT or Plusnet customers who are eligible to move to Home Essentials can move penalty-free – and I urge anyone who qualifies for our low-cost, social tariff to get in touch on the phone, online or in one of our stores.

But that’s not all we’re doing. Earlier this year, we introduced Stay Connected Data for EE customers not on our Mobile Basics tariff. It means people can still use essential apps such as WhatsApp and Maps when they reach their monthly data allowance, with unlimited backup data.

We also offer a free, confidential and independent debt advice referral process for customers in partnership with the Money Adviser Network.

Connectivity is little use without the skills to make the most of it. So, with BT’s Skills for Tomorrow programme, we’ll provide essential skills training for the estimated one-third of UK adults who have very low digital engagement – barely using even things such as email, online shopping or banking.

We are determined to help as many people as we can on our journey to being not just the best telco, but the best and most personal technology brand in the UK.