4.7 million UK homes have struggled to afford their telecoms bills this year

• Over a million households cut back what they spend on items such as food or clothes to pay for phone, internet or TV
• Telecoms companies have stepped up to help customers during the coronavirus pandemic, but can do more to help those facing financial hardship
• Some broadband firms offer low-cost packages for people on benefits, but take-up is low and more action is needed to promote these services

New Ofcom research reveals the challenges and tough choices many telecoms customers are facing this year, with more action needed from industry to support customers in financial difficulty.

Our reliance on phone and broadband services has increased significantly in recent years, and this trend accelerated in 2020 as many of us continue to spend more time at home. So continued investment in upgrading the UK’s networks is vital.

Generally, broadband and mobile customers are getting better services for less money. Average internet speeds and data usage have risen significantly, while average household spend on telecoms has been going down in recent years.^[1]

However, the coronavirus pandemic has significantly affected many people’s finances. So it has never been more important to ensure that people who are struggling to pay get the support they need, and have affordable options available to them.

In March, the UK’s major broadband and mobile companies agreed a set of commitments with Government and Ofcom to support and protect vulnerable customers. We continue to support the efforts companies are making to help make sure people stay connected at this difficult time.

Ofcom has carried out new research into the affordability of telecoms services this year. We have focused on broadband, as our research suggests that internet access at home is the most important telecoms service to people.^[2]

What we have found

Most people connect to the internet at home through a fixed line going into their property. But for 7% of households, their only method of accessing the internet is through a mobile phone or other mobile device, such as a dongle or USB.

Nearly one in five households (19%) – around 4.7 million homes – struggle to afford their telecoms services, our research found. Six per cent have difficulties paying for their fixed home broadband, while 5% struggle with their mobile bill.^[3]

When struggling to pay for a service, the most common action taken by customers is to cut back on a package to make it more affordable – something 11% of households say they have done. Other steps include reducing spend on other items such as food and clothes (5%), cancelling a service (4%), missing a payment (2%) or changing payment method (2%).

Data from providers indicates that the proportion of customers in arrears was relatively stable between January and September (2% for broadband and 3% for mobile). While the proportion of customers disconnected for non-payment fell during the initial lockdown period, there was an increase between June and September, to higher levels than before the pandemic.^[4]

The broadband and mobile markets offer customers a wide range of choice, with different deals available to suit different needs. For example, superfast broadband is available from under £25 a month, but people can also choose to pay more for a faster service.

But people suffering financial hardship can struggle with their bills. Some broadband providers – such as BT, KCOM and Virgin Media – offer cheaper tariffs to help customers on low incomes, but relatively few customers have taken up one of these targeted affordable options.^[5]

Providers can do more

We welcome the swift action taken by providers in response to the pandemic, but there is more they can do to support their customers.

We want firms that do not already offer a targeted affordable tariff for customers on low incomes to consider doing so. Providers that do offer such packages should do more to promote them, to try and raise awareness among customers who are likely to be eligible.

We also recently called on providers (PDF, 152.4 KB) to revisit their debt and disconnection practices, to ensure sufficient support is offered to customers who may be struggling to pay their bills.

Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom's Networks and Communications Group Director, said: “Lockdown has laid bare our dependence on a reliable internet connection. So it’s important that affordable options are available so everyone can stay connected – particularly those who have fallen on hard times.

“And while we welcome the support companies have provided customers this year, some people continue to face challenges and it’s clear providers can do more to support customers who are in financial difficulty.”

Next steps

Given the issues raised by our research, and the challenging economic outlook, we will carry out further research – and publish another report – on affordability and debt next year.

Should providers not address our concerns through their current levels of support to customers in financial difficulty, we will consider further action. This could include working with the Government to determine whether an industry-wide regulated social tariff is necessary.^[6]

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Average monthly home broadband data use increased from 30GB in 2013 to 429GB in 2020; while over the same period, average home broadband speeds rose from 17.8 Mbit/s to 71.8 Mbit/s. Similarly, average monthly mobile data use increased from 0.47GB in 2013 to 3.56GB in 2019. However, average household spend on broadband has fallen from £42.59 per month in 2007 to £37.25 in 2019. Likewise, monthly mobile spend has decreased over the same period from £56.90 to £40.25.
2. Proportions of households describing each of their communications services as ‘very important’:
   
3. We interviewed a UK representative sample of 5,567 household decision makers aged 18+ between June and October 2020, and findings largely reflect the average experiences in the month prior to interview.
4. Proportion of total mobile and broadband customers disconnected for non-payment:
   

5. Targeted affordable broadband packages with income eligibility criteria:

   Product	Price	Speed	Data	Eligibility
   BT Basic + Broadband	£10.07 a month	10 Mbit/s	Unlimited	Means-tested benefits (zero earnings)
   Virgin Media Essential Broadband	£15 a month	15 Mbit/s	Unlimited	Universal Credit
   KCOM Lightstream Flex	£20 a month	30 Mbit/s	Unlimited	Means-tested benefits (zero earnings)

6. From 21 December 2020, the UK Government’s legislation to implement the European Electronic Communications Code will give Ofcom the power to impose social tariffs on all providers where needed to help the most vulnerable. However, that power can only be exercised following a direction from the Secretary of State to Ofcom to review the affordability of relevant services, and subsequent approval by the Secretary of State of Ofcom’s recommendations.