Connectivity and equipment - Print version

It is important our residents stay connected. There are lots of ways we can support you to stay connected, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis.

Residents in receipt of Universal Credit or similar benefits may be able to cut broadband costs by accessing a social tariff. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cov-connects/connectivity-devices/2] 

Residents who are Sky customers and in receipt of Universal Credit or similar benefits could save on average £180 per year via Sky customers get cheaper internet [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/easier-for-sky-customers-to-get-cheaper-internet-thanks-to-dwp-scheme]

Residents can access free connectivity via the National Databank [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cov-connects/connectivity-devices/3]. 

The council provides access to secure free public Wi-Fi and devices at our libraries [/libraries] and Family Hubs [/familyhubs] across the city.

#CovConnects interactive map

This interactive venue map helps residents find support accessing public Wi-Fi and devices, and locations to access support from the National Databank.

• View an A-Z of Cov Connects venues [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory/113/a-to-z/A]
• Search for a location by postcode [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/covconnects#venuesearch]
• Places with public Wi-Fi
• Places with public access devices to connect to the internet
• Places to request SIM cards with data

Social tariffs

If you are in receipt of Universal Credit or similar benefits you may be able to cut your broadband costs by asking to be placed onto a social tariff.

What is a social tariff?

A social tariff offers a discounted home broadband bill for people in receipt of certain means-tested benefits which can help reduce your monthly outgoings.

Social tariffs are broadband and mobile packages just like any other - reliable, consistent and with guaranteed speeds. Switching from a provider's regular tariff to their social tariff will not incur any exit fees.

With some providers now offering deals as low as £10 per month, a simple switch to a social tariff could lead to a saving of around £202 against the average yearly cost of broadband.

Please see the most recent guidance from Ofcom and a list of social tariff providers available.

• Ofcom advice about social tariffs [https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs]
• List of providers offering social tariffs [https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/compare-broadband-deals/broadband-social-tariffs/]

Five benefits of a social broadband tariff

The National Databank

We know that there are many residents may not be able to get online due to rising costs, but we understand that staying connected is vital to access services, support and stay connected with others.

Coventry City Council has signed up with the National Databank to help distribute data to residents who are struggling to afford to keep connected.

Who is eligible to receive support from the National Databank?

To be eligible to receive data from the National Databank, the individual must:  

• Be 18+ years old
• and be from a low-income household  

And qualify in one or several of the following statements:  

• Has no access or insufficient access to the internet at home 
• and/or has no or insufficient access to the internet when away from the home  
• and/or cannot afford their existing monthly contract or top up

How do I access the data?

Residents can access data support from 20 city locations which include Libraries, Family Hubs, the Customer Service Centre and many more.

Please use our #CovConnects venues – Coventry City Council  map to find a convenient location. 

Are you an organisation interested in supporting your community via the National Databank?

We are working with community organisations to increase our National Databank network across the city. If your organisation supports residents, please consider signing up to the National Databank to join us in reducing data poverty and keeping our residents connected.

How do organisations sign up with the National Databank?

The National Databank is open to all community organisations that are members of the Good Things Foundation’s Online Centres Network. If you are not a member yet, you can sign up free [https://www.onlinecentresnetwork.org/ournetwork/join-the-network] to join, enabling access to training, the National Databank and other funding opportunities.

If you are already a member of the Good Things Foundation’s Online Centre Network, you can apply to be part of the National Databank by accessing their funding opportunities. [https://www.onlinecentresnetwork.org/funded-projects/funding-opportunities]

What impact can support from the National Databank make?

The Good Things Foundation have shared the below case study to highlight the positive impact supporting people to stay connected can make.

Paul, who is in his late forties, experiences many mental and physical health challenges. 

Suffering from several debilitating illnesses, Paul’s day-to-day life is a struggle. He relies on constant support from his partner and carer, and is unable to live independently. Paul is not well enough to leave his home, which means he spends almost every day stuck indoors, disconnected from the outside world. 

Paul treasures every bit of data he gets, but is often forced to monitor his usage extremely closely and make difficult decisions about what he uses the data for. The unpredictability of Paul’s health conditions means he never knows when he will need to call his GP or emergency services. Paul is scared of finding himself in an emergency and not having enough data to contact anyone. His usual data allowance does not allow for waiting in long phone queues or long phone calls to his pharmacist. 

Since August, Paul has been depending on data vouchers given to him by his local Online Centre – SmartLyte in Birmingham – through the National Databank, delivered by Good Things Foundation. The data vouchers have proved a lifeline for Paul who has been able to connect with his family and keep in essential contact with his GP.

The vouchers have taken away some of Paul’s loneliness, making him feel more connected to his children. His mental health has improved and he feels less stressed every day. Paul is grateful that his mobile phone and data allow him to see what his friends and family are up to and  that he can follow them on social media. The vouchers provide an invaluable connection to them, helping him to feel less isolated and more independent.