The mobile industry has proven to be a vital part of society’s infrastructure during this pandemic. Connectivity is critical not only in normal everyday life, but during this challenging and uncertain time too.
Mobile operators have gone above and beyond to ensure the UK stays connected, and here are a few ways how they have done this.
How the Mobile Industry is Helping During COVID-19
Supporting Our NHS & Key Workers
Extra mobile data access, voice calls and text capabilities have been offered at no extra cost to existing NHS Frontline Staff customers. This is so individuals can use their personal mobiles for work purposes without inflicting additional charges and limitations.
Providing Access to Health Information
Mobile data allowances are unaffected when accessing NHS websites such as NHS England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Operators are also working together with governments to ensure that genuine, timely information is delivered directly to mobiles.
Protecting Vulnerable People
A range of solutions have been offered to those who are suffering financially during this difficult time. These include new generous mobile and landline packages, flexible payment options, data boosts at low prices, and lifting or extension of data caps. This way, everyone can stay connected and supported.
Individual Operator Responses from the Mobile Industry
EE
- Unlimited data plans until the 9th October for NHS employees
- Ability to gift spare data to others on your account
- All visits to NHS online are free, even if you’ve run out of data
- Working with the UK government to make sure you get the latest official advice and guidance on coronavirus via text message
O2
- All visits to NHS online are free, even if you’ve run out of data
- Removed all charges for calls to Hospedia bedside telephones, so you won’t pay more than the 13p a minute Hospedia charge; also crediting any charges back to anyone that’s used this service since the start of the pandemic
- An extra 10GB of data for the next 3 months to NHS workers
- Implemented a Covid-19 emergency payment option designed to help those customers who are experiencing immediate financial difficulty
Three
- Reduced Pay Monthly International Saver Add-on price from £15.32 to £10, to stay connected with loved ones around the globe
- Working with several charities to supply equipment and access to a digital connection
- All visits to NHS online are free, even if you’ve run out of data
- Removed all charges for calls to Hospedia bedside telephones, so you won’t pay more than the 13p a minute Hospedia charge
Vodafone
- All visits to NHS online are free, even if you’ve run out of data
- Added extra capacity to the core fixed, broadband and mobile networks to cope with the extra demand as more people work from home; significantly increased level of care for all critical infrastructure customers such as NHS phone and online services
- Introduced flexible Emergency Homeworker Plans
Business Mobile Phone Providers
At Ocean Telecom, we are extremely grateful for the mobile industry and how it has helped everyone across the nation, and the world, during this time.
We offer tariffs and equipment from all the networks and major manufacturers, so if you have any further questions regarding business mobile contracts, contact us today.
