In today’s digital society, connectivity is at the heart of almost all that we do. Being online aids financial management, facilitates social connections, provides access to work and education, and can help keep us healthy and well.
More than one in three Brits say being connected is top of their list of essentials.
Brits complete an average of 90 tasks online every day.
Nine in 10 jobs are advertised only online.
But despite its importance, a substantial amount of people across the UK cannot get online. Such digital exclusion can have far-reaching consequences.
“In the UK, about 2m households don’t currently have access to the internet and many more lack digital skills to experience the full benefits technology can bring – from paying a bill to accessing education services or employment opportunities. As our society becomes increasingly digital, sadly there still isn’t equal access to connectivity, digital skills or devices for everyone,” says Nicki Lyons, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at Vodafone UK.
28% of households have difficulty affording a communication service.
One in five children has no access to a device or connectivity that is suitable for learning.
Food costs can be 50% higher for those without internet access, while 33% of people who are offline say it’s difficult to interact with NHS services.
Older people could be missing out on savings of £900 each year because they can’t access the best deals online.
41% of people with experience of digital exclusion say they feel stressed, while 31% feel isolated.
Regional inequalities are also causing problems for individuals and businesses across the UK. The prevalence of 5G “not-spots” – where there’s no reliable signal indoors – is making digital poverty worse.
800,000 (pdf): the number of people living in the most deprived rural communities in Great Britain who could see the huge benefits from the fast roll out of 5G standalone (5G SA).
Nearly half (46%) of all rural deprived areas in Great Britain have no 5G coverage, compared with only 2.7% of deprived areas in urban centres.
47% of SMEs in rural areas experience connectivity difficulties.
SMEs across all sectors could realise £8.6bn in productivity savings each year with 5G-enabled tech.
Vodafone is helping to bridge the digital divide by donating devices and connectivity to those who need them, as well as working with partners to deliver digital skills training.
“At Vodafone, we are committed to making sure no one is left behind. We have provided 2.6 million people and businesses with free connectivity, devices, access to social tariffs and digital training so far and are committed to reaching 4 million by the end of 2025,” says Vodafone’s Lyons.
So far, 2.6 million people and businesses have benefited from free connectivity, devices and digital training from Vodafone.
1.3m free sim cards have been donated through the National Databank, “like a foodbank but for mobile data”, and through many other charities including the Trussell Trust.
Find out more about Vodafone’s pledge to help 4 million people and businesses cross the digital divide here
