Covid-19 Lockdown Highlights Growing Digital Divide in the UK

A recent survey reveals 30% of internet users in the UK had connections that did not meet their needs during the coronavirus pandemic.

17:03 22 July 2020

An inquiry into the future of digital technology in the UK has further highlighted the digital divide during the Covid-19 pandemic. Members of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee were presented with evidence showing a huge gap between users with a reliable internet connection and those with services that did not meet their needs during the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, they struggle to access vital day-to-day services such as banking and shopping.  

 

Richard Piggin, head of external affairs at consumer group Which?, said: “The last few months have reinforced just how important it is to have good quality broadband and mobile connections, and they’ve also highlighted that there is still a digital divide across the country,”

 

“It might seem obvious, but those with good quality broadband will have been able to work from home, stay in touch with friends and family and home school.

 

“Those without good quality connections will have struggled to do all of those things and will have struggled to engage in many important day-to-day activities, whether that’s shopping for groceries online or banking online.”

 

During his presentation, Mr Piggin said that one of the reasons for the growing digital divide is the lack of awareness about broadband packages, which leads to consumer picking services based on the price alone. 

 

Meanwhile, internet providers continue to find ways to help their local communities, such as 6G Internet who give 20% of their network capacity back to social causes.