London broadband provider Community Fibre has come together with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to provide free access to 100% full fibre broadband to eligible Londoners struggling to get online.
The new initiative, which launches today in collaboration with Jobcentre Plus, will see those eligible for the service receive 12 months of free full fibre broadband at speeds of 50 Mbps from Community Fibre.
According to the ISP, 1-in-10 Londoners (11%) say they have missed out on job opportunities, or experienced disruption during virtual job interviews, because of an unreliable internet connection. In addition, 15% of Londoners report that they cannot access basic services such as GP appointments, online banking, or government services because of poor broadband connectivity.
The partnership with DWP will play a vital role in helping eligible Londoners to get online and access new job opportunities and services, in a bid to bridge the digital divide. The offer is open to DWP customers who are disabled, carers or have been in receipt of benefits for more than three months. This offer is exclusively available across six Jobcentre Plus services within Woolwich, Peckham, Tower Hamlets, Harlesden, Barnsbury and Finsbury Park sites in London only.
DWP Minister of State Mims Davies said: “I am thrilled by how working with Community Fibre, DWP are able to give so many Londoners free, high speed internet for the next year.
“Whether it’s interviewing for a job or accessing vital services, decent internet is necessary for all of us to get on with day to day lives. If you’re interested and think you might be eligible for this key support, speak to your local Jobcentre today.
“This comes on top of our unprecedented £108b support package, which has prevented 1.3 million people falling into absolute poverty reflecting our commitment to help the British people through challenging times”.
Graeme Oxby, Chief Executive Officer of Community Fibre continued: “Our research has shown that two-thirds (69%) of Londoners view broadband in the same way they view their gas, water, and electricity services. To apply for new jobs, contact a GP or access government services, a reliable internet connection is key, and we’re proud to be working alongside the DWP and Jobcentre Plus to bring fibre broadband to those who need it most.”
For those who are not eligible for the scheme but may still be struggling to get online, Community Fibre also offers its own social broadband tariff at £12.50/month. These discounted broadband deals are usually available for people on Universal Credit and other benefits. However, Community Fibre does not ask for proof of government benefits – making it one of the most accessible and affordable social broadband tariffs on the market.
The London-based fibre provider has currently connected more than 600 community spaces with a free 1 Gbps full fibre connection. As well as providing access to more than 1.3 million homes across the capital, it also provides free digital skills training for residents and supports community-led initiatives through sponsorship. To find out more about how Community Fibre empowers local communities through digital inclusion, read more at Community Connect.
To find out more about the award-winning fibre provider, hailed by consumers as the ‘Best Internet Network Provider’ on Trustpilot, commanding an ‘Excellent’ 4.6/5 rated service with more than 35,000 5-star reviews (May 2024), new customers can head to communityfibre.co.uk or speak with a member of the team on 0808 164 3657 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm, weekends and bank holidays, 9am – 5pm) to get unbeatable broadband from only £21/month.
