Family Early Help
Increasing Mobile Data Allowance and Internet Access
A number of the major broadband and mobile providers are now working with the Government to provide mobile data increases and access to 4G wireless routers for some children BUT these can only be requested by the child's school. Children can request this support if they:
- do not have fixed broadband at home
- cannot afford additional data for their devices
- are experiencing disruption to their face-to-face education
Children with access to a mobile phone on one of the following networks might be able to benefit:
- Three
- SMARTY
- Virgin Mobile
- EE
- Tesco Mobile
- Sky Mobile
- O2
You can find more information here:
https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk/about-increasing-mobile-data
£15 a Month Broadband Package for People on Universal Credit
Virgin Media UK has opened applications for their new £15 per month “Essential Broadband” plan, which offers download speeds of 15Mbps (2Mbps upload), unlimited data usage and a 30-day rolling contract. But you can only get this if you’re receiving Universal Credit.
The new package is broadband-only service, and does not include mobile. More information here:
Remote WIFI
Remote wifi can be provided using a MIFI dongle. This may help families who do not have wifi at home and are reliant on their mobile data. MIFI works through a wifi dongle that taps into 3G or 4G mobile phone networks and uses this connection to create a mini wireless broadband cloud that can be shared across devices. We still need to test this for security and trustworthiness.
More info here https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/guides/what-is-mifi-mobile-broadband/ .
If you want to explore this for a family, please contact your line manager
Relief Being Offered by Mobile and Broadband Networks
The major mobile and broadband networks have agreed a new package of support for vulnerable customers to relax data limts and reduce prices during COVD. More info here https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/29/broadband-providers-to-lift-data-caps-during-covid-19-lockdown?CMP=share_btn_tw&__twitter_impression=true
Contact the family’s mobile or broadband supplier for advice on what they are able to offer. Details of major mobile and broadband suppliers are in this document (with thanks to Elaine Crouch for researching and preparing):