Community Fibre offers free broadband to eligible Londoners

Community Fibre, a London-based full fibre broadband provider, has announced a free broadband offer for those struggling to get online.

Eligible customers will get a 50Mbps full fibre connection for 12 months at no cost to help them with job applications, GP appointments, online banking, and other basic services.

The offer is available to DWP customers who are disabled, carers, or have been in receipt of benefits for more than three months, and is limited to Jobcentre Plus sites in Woolwich, Peckham, Tower Hamlets, Harlseden, Barnsbury and Finsbury Park only.

Free broadband

Community Fibre research has found 1 in 10 Londoners (11%) say they've missed out on job opportunities, or they've experienced disruption during virtual job interviews, because of a bad internet connection.

The provider also noted how 15% of Londoners said they couldn't access basic services like GP appointments, online banking, or Government services because of poor broadband.

To help those struggling to get online, Community Fibre has partnered with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to offer certain eligible Londoners a free broadband deal.

Customers of Jobcentre Plus in Woolwich, Peckham, Tower Hamlets, Harlseden, Barnsbury and Finsbury Park in London, who are either disabled, carers, or who've been in receipt of certain benefits for at least three months, will be able to access the free broadband offer.

Qualifying benefits are limited to:

• Income based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income based Employment Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Universal Credit

Those eligible will be able to receive 12 months of full fibre broadband with average download speeds of 50Mbps and unlimited usage. Connection and setup is also free.

Caveats

However, there are some caveats interested customers should be aware of.

While no payment will be taken, eligible customers signing up have to provide direct debit details. And, at the end of the 12-month minimum term the provider will give customer's 30 to 60 days' notice of the move to a paid contract or the option to cancel the service.

Those who want to cancel must return the router or be faced with a £160 charge - which is substantial.

Customers who continue to a paid service are likely to be offered a package around £20, with current deals for new customers starting as low as £18.99 per month for 150Mbps broadband.

Social broadband

There is also another option for when eligible customers who've benefitted from this free broadband deal have to move to a paid deal.

Community Fibre also offer a social broadband tariff for just £12.50 per month, and they make it available to everyone without any qualifying restrictions.

Customers who take Community Fibre's Essential package get a full fibre broadband connection with average download speeds of 35Mbps, and pay just £12.50 per month - making it one of the UK's cheapest broadband deals.

It does have a £14.95 setup fee, and out of contract prices remain low at just £4 more than the introductory price at the end of the 12-month minimum term.

Overall, while it's not a true social broadband tariff, it is available to anyone who feels they need it and they won't have to prove they're struggling or on a low income.