More than seven million low-income households are unable to access internet at an affordable price, according to a report published in inews.
The Liberal Democrats blame a lack of government action to drive compulsory low-income or social-housing tariffs by internet providers for millions left behind in the digital divide.
Telco watchdog Ofcom has said the main broadband providers fail to go far enough on promoting social tariffs.
Gigabit Networks has baked social tariffs into its core offerings in a bid to bridge the digital divide in the Midlands – where the UK experiences some of the highest densities of deprivation.
While mainstream providers sell social tariffs at around £15 per month for 15Mb, Gigabit Networks is offering gigabit-capable (up to 930Mb) connections for £30 per month.
“We are doing everything we can to bridge the digital divide in the Midlands,” said David Yates, Cofounder of Gigabit Networks. “A child who can’t learn or play on the internet is a child left behind. We have a duty to provide the best access at an affordable price for people on low incomes.”
“Social housing organisations also need to play their part in connecting low-income households,” said Dan Ilett, Cofounder of Gigabit Networks. “We can bring the connections, the price and the service but without their collaboration millions will be left with poor internet.”