The price of everything is rising, forcing people to make hard choices. A recent report from the BBC found that many of us can no longer afford to pay for food, heating, utilities, and a monthly broadband connection.

Some broadband packages linked to inflation have seen mid-contract increases as high as 11%. And these price hikes have hit the financially vulnerable the hardest.

7% of low earners are now in arrears on their internet bills, owing an average of £171 each. And with further price rises likely, the financial situation for millions of UK households is not looking good.

Lewa and her family have already cut back on food and data to make their income last through the month. Speaking to the BBC, Lewa said:

“Financially, everything has become really hard. I’m struggling with three kids, all at different stages. I have to share internet with my neighbour to save money. My son does all his homework at the library because we don’t always have the internet at home.”

Hafsha Dadabhai Shaikh, who works to help people access free data, explains how Lewa’s situation is far from uncommon:

“So many people out there are making those choices between ‘do I have enough money to feed myself and my family this month?…and do I have enough money left over to put in the kitty to buy some data’?”

And it shouldn’t be this way, continues Hafsha:

“Data and broadband are vital now. “Families have to go online to see their GPs, order prescriptions, manage finances, and get the best deals from supermarkets.”

Culture secretary Nadine Dorries wants big broadband providers to introduce measures to tackle rising tariffs. As of yet, few have taken any serious action.

Broadband provider 6Ginternet understands that reliable and accessible internet is no longer a luxury. Instead, it’s a necessity.

So while everyone else is talking about how to lower prices and help ordinary people, 6Ginternet continues to give away a large portion of its network coverage to schools, charities, local authorities, and other organisations.

It’s called the “Internet for Everyone Campaign,’ and it ensures that everyone can use the internet, whenever they need it.

“Working with 6Ginternet means we can help older people get connected free of charge,” says an Age UK Blackburn spokesperson. “This allows them to experience the many benefits of digital technology, such as keeping in touch with friends and family, shopping online, and using health services online.”

6Ginternet: an independent broadband provider putting people before its profits.

For more information on the Internet for Everyone Campaign, visit 6Gintenet.com. And if you’re part of an organisation that could benefit from free broadband, call 6Ginternet 0800 246 6767.

To date, the 6Gi, internet for everyone initiative has been focussed largely in the Blackburn and Darwen areas, where we are working with schools, charities and community groups, to help people get online.

As the 6Gi network continues to grow, we are now in a position to launch the initiative in neighbouring Preston.

Already we have created links with the Preston based social landlord, Onward Homes and three local schools.

Scott Brerton, Social Investment Specialist at Onward Homes, observed that,

“Having access to the internet is something that most of us take for granted but for some families, it’s simply unaffordable. Working with 6Gi has enabled a number of families across our neighbourhoods to have free internet access. This, alongside the laptop lending libraries we’ve worked together on with some local schools, has enabled many young people in the area to have equality of opportunity, being able to access online learning during the current pandemic.”

In addition to the work with individual families, we have also provided free connectivity for some local community centres, including the Foxton Centre on Knowsley Street.

The centre’s Team Manager, Lara Budd, acknowledged the value of the support from the 6Gi internet for everyone initiative.

“The free Wi-Fi connection at The Foxton Centre, Preston, means that the homeless community and other vulnerable groups can access essential services on the internet. It will also make it easier for people who are experiencing a tough time to stay in contact with friends and family. The level of service we received from 6Gi at the centre was excellent and installation was very straight forward.”

Ian Clough, who leads the 6Gi internet for everyone initiative, is keen to develop new links in the Preston area.

“As in Blackburn and Darwen up to 20% of our network is being made available to support local digital inclusion work, I would urge any Preston based organisation with an interest in helping people to get online, to get in touch with me.” (ian.clough@6gdsi.co.uk)

Making sure that all school aged children, in areas where we work, can access the internet at home is a key aim of the 6G Internet “internet for everyone” initiative.

For too many families on lower or uncertain incomes, cost and long-term contracts have been barriers that have proved impossible to overcome.

The pandemic has shown us all how much we rely on the internet for so many things nowadays, not least of which is education. That some children do not have that access seems plainly wrong and unfair.

6G Internet is therefore committed to working with schools to identify families needing help and to provide them with a free basic home connection.

We are currently working with Roe Lee Park Primary School and Brookhouse Primary School in Blackburn.

Both recognised how important it is for all children to have internet access at home.

Laura Butterworth, Deputy Headteacher at Roe Lee Park, commented, “When classes have to isolate for a fortnight, without internet access, that is two weeks of their learning completely lost, extending the education gap even further between those families who can afford to access live lessons from their child’s teacher every day and those who are not in this position.”

Rifat Rasul, the Home/School Liaison Officer at, Brookhouse Primary School, echoed this, “Internet access is paramount in the current climate and even more important for children’s education and learning throughout the pandemic.”

Both Laura and Rifat acknowledged that the partnership with 6G Internet has had a positive outcome.

Laura observed that, “This is having a considerable impact on the children’s learning, as we can now confidently say that all of our children, across our entire school, will be learning every single day, whether or not they are able to be physically in school.” 

Rifat added that, “As a school, it is important that we support all children with their education and 6G Internet has been instrumental in providing a fantastic service.”

Ian Clough who leads the 6G Internet “internet for everyone” initiative said, “As well as providing the connection, we try to make sure that the family can also get hold of a suitable device, like a recycled laptop or tablet, by drawing in help from other organisations. For example, in Blackburn we have worked with Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, in Preston with the social landlord, Onward Homes and, in many instances, schools themselves have been able to source equipment.”

If you are a school that could benefit from the “internet for everyone” initiative or you can support the project by providing laptops or tablets, please contact:

Ian Clough

Ian.clough@6gdsi.co.uk