The government aims to get ultra-fast gigabit services to most of the UK by 2025
The government should offer vouchers to low-income homes to encourage the take-up of ultra-fast gigabit broadband, a report suggests.
The Gigabit Take-up Advisory Group (Gigatag) also recommended employers offer staff discounts on the service.
The government aims to make gigabit-capable broadband available to 85% of the UK by 2025.
Digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman said he would consider the suggestions.
“We believe passionately in making sure everyone can feel the benefits of these lightning-fast speeds, and I will be carefully considering Gigatag’s welcome proposals for boosting consumer take-up,” he said.
The Gigatag group was assembled at the request of the government by consumer group Which?, the Confederation of British Industry and the Federation of Small Businesses. It warned that the government’s target to make Britain gigabit-capable could be derailed unless consumers upgraded.
It found that only one in five people was willing to pay more for faster services.
It also discovered that many people are unclear about how a gigabit service would differ from their current package.
And, despite a slew of advertising around the technology and its benefits, about six in 10 consumers remained unaware of the availability of gigabit services.
