Struggling to get internet access?
During this new lockdown most home learning is being accessed through the internet.
You may be finding it difficult to access the amount of data required and can't afford your network's rates for increasing your allowance.
If this is something you're experiencing trouble with then there are a number of options that may help you.
The DFE have worked with a few mobile phone networks to agree some additional data packages.
This scheme is open to families 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
Check if your network is doing anything below...
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
If you would like us to apply for additional data on your phone account then please complete the form linked at the bottom of this page.
If your mobile network isn't offering anything above and you are in receipt of certain benefits and support then we may be able to request some other form of support to keep remote learning going for your family.
There is an option to request this on your form.
DFE Privacy statement
1. For the purposes of data protection, we need to let you know that the Department for Education (DfE) is running the Mobile Network Offer through schools and their trusts or local authorities.
2. If the offer is taken up by an adult account holder, the school or social care team will share the account holder’s name and mobile phone details with the DfE, who will share these with the relevant mobile network operator.
3. The mobile network operator will use that information to increase the data available for the account holder’s mobile device, as long as they qualify for the offer.
4. The adult account holder’s personal data is only shared with their mobile network operator for the purposes of the offer. No names of children or other adults, other than adult account holder, are shared with the DfE or the mobile network operator.
5. No personal information will be shared with the DfE if you do not want to take up the offer.
6. If you want to know more about how your personal information will be used before you take up the offer, you can access it here.
7. If you decide to take up the offer, you’ll get a text message from the Department for Education with more information about your data protection rights.
Access the form by clicking below...
