Effects of the digital divide 

For many of us, the term digital divide has little relevance in our everyday lives. But for others, this issue massively impacts their ability to socialise, learn, interact and grow as individuals in modern times. 

As such, the digital divide refers to the gap in society between those who have full access to digital technology (like the internet or a device) and those who are unable to access such benefits. You can find out more about the effect of digital inclusion here. 

How COVID increased the digital divide 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns surrounding the digital divide became more pressing. Access to the internet and devices played an increasing role in accessing services, continuing educational services, keeping up to date with news, booking medical appointments and above all, staying in touch with friends and family throughout the months in lockdown.  

Now, it may seem as though much of the world has returned to normal, but the pandemic highlighted something else: People who are already at a greater disadvantage (due to their age, education, income, lack of time and resources, etc.) are most affected by the digital divide.  

A lack of digital access, resources and skills can have hugely negative implications on our lives, leading to increased social exclusion, loneliness, isolation, depression, poorer health outcomes and a lower life expectancy. 

Bridging the digital divide 

A lack of digital awareness by those who have easy access to technology only furthers the social inequality gap, and as the world continues to venture deeper into the digital age, it is vital that we all strive to ensure that no one is left behind. 

The GoodThingsFoundation is a key player in working towards bridging the digital divide across our nation. That’s why we’ve partnered with them to keep pushing for social change. Together, we work to provide:   

How Community Fibre can help to bridge the digital divide 

Be speed aware 

We believe that “the new normal” when it comes to digital inclusion is still not up to par, with many still struggling to gain basic access to the Internet through a reliable connection. To add insult to disbelief, many Brits are paying an extortionate amount for advertised speeds they will likely never be able to achieve. 

Use our speed explained page to test what speeds you are actually getting and understand what speeds would suit your household needs. 

Don’t disregard social tariffs 

With the cost of living soaring ever higher, we continue to look for more ways to provide better broadband to more Londoners. That’s why we offer a social-minded tariff that helps you tackle those everyday online tasks with a reliable, affordable and future-proof 100% full fibre connection.  

Enjoy symmetrical speeds of 20 Mbps, no line rental required, no ‘sky-high’ out-of-contract price hikes and a free high-quality router - all for only £12.50/month. 

Get more broadband for your buck 

Did you know that one in five Brits don’t know their actual broadband speeds? With the average UK household download and upload speeds at 59.4 Mbps and 10.7 Mbps respectively (Source: Ofcom - UK Home Broadband Performance for March 2022 - published October 2022), It’s no wonder many are making the switch to more reliable and affordable broadband providers. 

One such provider is Community Fibre. Our fastest package offers 3,000 Mbps and is London’s fastest available residential broadband speed. To put that into perspective, that’s up to 50x faster than the average download and 280x faster than the average upload speeds mentioned above. 

To add that metaphorical cherry on top of this cake, we continue to offer prices that the national providers find It hard to beat. Check out our current range of packages and the latest deals on our website. 

Opt for honest and hassle-free switching 

We don’t believe in tying people to an extortionate contract that feels inescapable. If you find that you're not getting the speeds you should be with your current provider or the prices aren’t matching your budget, take a look at our range of competitive packages and check your postcode to see if we are available in your area. 

What’s more, with the shocking announcement of Virgin Media’s prices increases, Virgin Media customers could see their bills go up by as much as 13.8%. 

That’s why for a limited time, we’re offering Virgin Media customers another metaphorical top tip - a get-out-of-jail-free card for lack of a better phrase – with savings of up to £434 with one month of broadband for free on top of our current online promotions and prices fixed for 2023 when you switch over to us.  

If you’ve been notified by Virgin Media that your bill is going up, you’ll have 30 days to cancel your contract - with no cancellation fees. You can learn more here. 

To take advantage of this fab offer, you’ll need to sign up on our 150 Mbps, 300 Mbps or 920 Mbps packages on a 12 or 24-month contract, by the 28th March 2023 at 11.59pm. T&Cs apply to be sure to read up on the full terms and current offer here. 

Better broadband for everyone

Whether you’re looking to grab the best broadband for your budget or make the most of your existing connection, our dedicated blog has a range of topics from Cyber Security and the latest online games, to optimising your broadband speed.  

You also can check out our range of packages for residents and businesses any time of the year and say bye-bye to buffering and hello to award-winning service from the number one Internet service provider on Trustpilot when’re you like.