It seems people are OK with paying more for faster internet, though
Matthew Hughes Thu 25 Feb 2021 // 16:46 UTC Share
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Comparison site Compare Fibre reckons consumer choice will halve and prices will as much as double in areas where Openreach is to stop selling copper services.
The bold claims came as Openreach gradually phases out sales of copper-based broadband and phone products ahead of a nationwide stop-sell order in 2023, and a forecasted withdrawal of the copper network by 2025. On the face of it, it s excellent news, said Nathan Hill-Haimes, co-founder of Compare Fibre. The UK s fibre infrastructure will replace the archaic copper technology many of us use to access the internet. The government is setting aside £5bn to connect the remaining hardest to reach areas. But there s a cost of this light-speed, ultrafast revolution.
In response, the UK Government as well as a number of companies have launched initiatives to bring free broadband connections to those in need. But worryingly, new research from comparison site Compare Fibre suggests that millions might be unaware of the free connection they’re eligible to claim.
According to the new research, some 57.4 percent of lower-income households have not taken up the offers – or are unaware that help is even available. That equates to some 7.1 million people.
In a bid to try to raise awareness, Compare Fibre has announced plans to include details of all the major broadband schemes available to lower-income households. These include free Wi-Fi Vouchers, while are available for the five million or so BT public hotspots. You don’t need to be a BT customer to grab one of these vouchers, which lets you connect to the speedy Wi-Fi hotspot to join video calls with teachers or employers.