NHS workers to get extra data, calls and texts for free from mobile phone companies 

NHS workers will be given data, calls and texts for free from mobile phone companies as part of a coronavirus support package.

Companies including the Post Office, Lycamobile and iD mobile have agreed, for some or all of the Covid-19 period, to support NHS workers by giving frontline staff who are existing customers, the data, texts and calls they need at no additional cost.

They have also prioritised broadband upgrades for NHS clinicians working from home and pledged to improve connectivity for care homes with slow or no broadband connections, wherever possible.

Some providers who have also signed up to the vulnerable consumer commitments are offering more generous mobile data allowances. This should help patients who can only use their mobile phones for video consultations.

Tesco Mobile will support eligible frontline NHS pay monthly customers with 500GB data and 5,000 minutes. Once applied to the customer’s account, extra connectivity will be available until 30 June 2020.

Lycamobile are offering sim cards with a free month of unlimited international calls as well as unlimited UK minutes, texts and data to NHS workers.

A cohort of 14 British telecoms networks, including BT and EE, Three, Sky and Virgin Media have already said that they will lift caps on data and voice minutes for critical NHS workers who are increasingly depending on personal devices to help Covid-19 patients.

Broadband and mobile services have soared in demand, with many healthcare workers having to offer support to patients remotely as the spread of coronavirus has led to the introduction of social distancing measures.

Matt Warman, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, praised the initiative, saying: “Our telecoms industry is doing vital work keeping the UK connected. I thank all the companies and workers doing their bit for the national effort and to support the NHS.

“Today a number of providers have agreed new commitments so vulnerable consumers and frontline NHS staff have an extra level of support with their mobile and broadband connections.” 

Andrew Glover, Chair of the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) said: “ISPA supports these measures and have been working with our broader membership on how vulnerable consumers and NHS staff can be provided with the support they need at this time. We are delighted that more of our members are able to commit publicly to these important schemes.

“This all comes in addition to a lot of work that broadband providers have been doing behind the scenes to keep the country connected, from connecting new hospitals to supporting those working and learning from home.”

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