The UK government has announced that it has struck a deal with EE, Vodafone, O2, Three, Sky Mobile, Virgin Media, Tesco Mobile, and Giffgaff that will allow customers to access victim support websites without using up their mobile data. With the on-going lockdown, victim support websites have revealed that they are seeing a substantial increase in traffic.
According to the announcement, the following websites are now accessible without using up mobile data: Victim Support, Rape Crisis, The Survivors Trust, Male Survivors Partnership, Refuge, National Domestic Abuse Helpline, Women’s Aid, Welsh Women’s Aid, and the NSPCC.
Commenting on the newly struck deal, Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said:
“This agreement will help people who are at risk of violence during this pandemic get the information and support they need, particularly those on pay as you go contracts or tight data allowances.
This is yet another positive commitment from the UK’s brilliant mobile network providers to support the vulnerable and contribute to the national effort to overcome coronavirus.”
Internet providers have already removed data allowance caps on current fixed broadband services so access to these websites will not cost you any more if you are typically subjected to a usage cap.