Sky and Now have launched new social tariffs meaning that customers could save on their bills.
The company have announced their new Sky Broadband Basics tariff as they join the likes of BT, Virgin Media and Hyperoptic in providing a discounted monthly subscription for customers on low incomes. Now is owned by Sky and customers from both broadband providers can benefit from cheaper costs.
The new social tariff is aimed at those who might be struggling to pay their bills, and eligible customers could save £5 per month on their broadband connection. To be eligible for Sky Broadband Basics, the Sky account holder needs to be claiming Universal Credit or Pension Credit, and to be named on the Universal or Pension Credit monthly statement.
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Here is a guide, from Which, to help with all the information about the new tariff.
Who is eligible for Sky and Now Broadband’s cheaper tariffs?
To be eligible you must be claiming certain benefits as listed above. Currently it’s only available to customers who already have Sky Broadband, and still requires these customers to contact Sky to enable the move. The same requirements apply to existing Now Broadband customers.
What do the cheaper packages from Sky and Now Broadband offer?
Sky Broadband Basics costs £20 a month for 18 months, and includes Sky Broadband Superfast 35, a fibre broadband package offering an average download speed of 36 Mbps. This usually costs £25 per month.
If fibre broadband isn’t available where you live, Sky Broadband’s Essential Plus plan, with average speeds of 11 Mbps, can be taken instead. Both packages include Sky Pay As You Talk – which means you’ll need to pay for any phone calls you make.
Now Broadband’s new cheaper packages are similar. You can benefit from Now Fan Fibre membership for £20 a month, with average speeds of 36 Mbps (usually £25). This doesn’t include a call plan either, so you’ll need to pay for any calls made from a home phone.
How do I apply for one of Sky or Now’s new tariffs?
In both cases you’ll need to contact your provider to explain your situation. They should outline next steps and key dates for when you can switch to the lower priced tariff, if you qualify.
What if my circumstances change and I’m no longer eligible?
This is where the two providers differ slightly. With Sky, you’re signing up to a new 18-month contract. However, there won’t be any early termination charges if you do need to leave before this period ends. Once the 18 month contract is up, the price will go back up to the standard rate. With Now Broadband, you’ll be entering an ongoing monthly contract, and will need to give it 31 days notice if you want to cancel, to avoid any early termination charges.
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