Social tariffs stop small providers from competing

Having read Issue 629’s ‘Question of the Fortnight’ (‘Why aren’t broadband firms promoting their social tariffs?’), I’m not convinced they’re such a good idea. I bet if you asked the bosses of the biggest broadband firms they’d all say that social tariffs should be compulsory. This is because the bigger the company, the more likely they’d be able to afford it. Regulation of this kind is always welcomed by the tech giants because they know smaller rivals will struggle to afford it.

The big broadband firms need to sell enough fast (and expensive) packages to subsidise the cheaper (and possibly loss-making) social tariffs. It’s a careful balance that keeps the money rolling in. New, smaller companies haven’t got a chance of competing. Ralph Woods

If Ofcom wants more people using social tariffs, they should stop using that terrible name. A ‘tariff’ doesn’t sound like something that could benefit you. It’s more like a penalty you can’t avoid paying. After seven minutes of brainstorming, the best I could come up with was ‘Benefits Broadband’. This sounds more positive, and also states who is eligible for it. As is usually the case with re-branding projects, I will charge Ofcom the rip-off fee of £10,000 a minute for this work. Susan Forrester

You were right to criticise BT’S website for not promoting its Home Essentials social tariff, but it’s only fair to point out they now let you sign up for it in their stores. My sister did this a few weeks ago, and found the process easy to follow, with helpful assistants who knew how to check her eligibility. BT’S site has more information: www.snipca.com/40942. Sheila Cowans