This scheme temporarily increases data allowances for mobile phone users on certain networks. This is so that children and young people can access remote education if their face-to-face education is disrupted.
Who can get help
Schools, trusts and local authorities can request mobile data increases for children and young people who:
- don’t have access to a fixed broadband connection
- cannot afford the additional data needed to access educational resources or social care services
- have access to a mobile device that uses a participating network
- are facing disruption to their face-to-face education, or have been advised not to attend school
Children with access to a mobile phone on one of the following networks might be able to benefit:
- EE
- Sky Mobile
- Smarty
- Tesco Mobile
- Three
- Virgin Mobile
Other providers may join the scheme at a later stage.
The amount of data someone will get depends on their mobile network (see below for details). Some networks can’t offer data to Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) customers.
When the request has been processed the customer will receive:
- a text message when their free data has been activated
- when their free data will end
- that this data can be used when tethering a mobile phone to another device for internet access
The Network Offers:
EE
Be aware that until the end of January, it may take EE some time to process requests.
- The recipient will get 20GB of additional data per month until 31 July 2021.
- The offer is available to both Pay Monthly and Pay-as-you-go customers.
- A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
- EE will process no more than 60,000 requests across all schools. If they reach this limit, they will not accept further requests.
Sky Mobile
- The recipient will get 100GB of additional data.
- The offer is only available to Pay Monthly customers identified as needing this support. It’s not available to Pay-as-you-go customers.
- Sky Mobile customers will be able to see the data uplift in their piggybank.
- Sky Mobile will aim to process the request within 14 days.
- Sky Mobile will process no more than 1800 requests across all schools. If they reach this limit, they will not accept further requests.
Smarty
- The recipient will get unlimited data until 31 July 2021.
- The offer is available to both Pay Monthly and Pay-as-you-go customers.
- A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
- Smarty will aim to process the request within 14 days.
Tesco Mobile
- The recipient will get 20GB of additional data per month until 31 July 2021.
- The offer is only available to Pay Monthly customers identified as needing this support. It’s not available to Pay-as-you-go customers.
- A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
- Tesco Mobile will aim to process the request within 14 days.
- Tesco Mobile will process no more than 1,000 requests across all schools. If they reach this limit, they will not accept further requests.
Three
- The recipient will get unlimited data until 31 July 2021.
- The offer is available to both Pay Monthly and Pay-as-you-go customers.
- A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
- Three will aim to process the request within 14 days.
Virgin Mobile
- The recipient will get 20GB of additional data per month until 31 July 2021.
- The offer is only available to Pay Monthly customers identified as needing this support. It’s not available to Pay-as-you-go customers.
- A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
- Virgin Mobile will aim to process the request within 14 days.
- Virgin Mobile will process no more than 1750 requests across all schools. If they reach this limit, they will not accept further requests.
- Wi-Fi hotspots are open to all existing customers, including those on Pay-as-you-go. Customers on Pay-as-you-go will need to have a minimum of £5 credit. Instructions to download the app and find their nearest hotspot can be found by going to www.virginmedia.com/wifiapp.
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