First Utility Throws Smart Home Kit in with Energy and Broadband
Energy provider and UK ISP First Utility (Shell) will next week begin bundling a variety of different smart home devices alongside selected energy and home broadband products “at no extra cost.” The offer launches on 15th October running till 19th November for broadband and 22th November for energy tariffs.
The operator will be supplying either the Nest Thermostat E, Nest Cam Indoor or the Google Home Mini, depending upon the service being taken. For example, superfast broadband (FTTC) and phone customers can expect to receive the Google Home Mini smart speaker, which normally sells for around £40 online.
First Utility’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ed Kamm, said: “We’ve sought out the best smart-home technology to help customers enjoy more convenience, energy-efficiency and safety in the way they manage their home. We’re also making it affordable and accessible so everyone can get the benefits. By bundling products with our good value energy and broadband tariffs there are no up-front costs and we’ll cover installation where it’s needed.”
| Product | Smart home product | Product features |
| 2 yr fixed-price energy tariff £1,294 per year for a dual fuel household with typical usage |
Nest Thermostat E | – Control the temperature from anywhere, via an app on your device or via Google Home – Easy to install yourself – Saves energy by automatically lowering the temperature when no one’s in |
| 3 yr fixed-price energy tariff £1,304 per year for a dual fuel household with typical usage |
Nest Cam Indoor | – Helps you look after your home and family – even when you’re away. – View whats going on at home, when you’re away with 24/7 live streaming and 30 days of recording in the cloud – Receive alerts when the camera detects loud noises or spots a person in your home |
| SuperFirst Broadband (Avg download speed 35Mbps) £31.99 per month, 18 month contract with no out-of-contract price increase |
Google Home Mini | – A smart speaker with built in Google Assistant means you’re one question away from all you need to know – Personalised help with your schedule, reminders and more – Use your voice to control compatible devices, play music, listen to audiobooks or watch TV with Chromecast |
| UltraFirst Broadband (Avg download speed 63Mbps) £34.99 per month, 18 month contract with no out-of-contract price increase |
Google Home Mini | See above |
Broadband customers will of course also receive unlimited usage, a free wireless router, phone line rental (standard call charges), free connection + delivery, an 18 month contract term and UK based support. First Utility also says, “Unlike other providers, at the end of the minimum period we’ll not increase your monthly charge.”
Apparently the new offer is “available to new and existing customers,” although we assume they mean upgrading / re-contracting customers for the latter.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook and Linkedin.
« EE Dominates OpenSignal’s UK Mobile Network Performance Report
Latest UK ISP News
- FTTP (5516)
- BT (3514)
- Politics (2538)
- Openreach (2297)
- Business (2262)
- Building Digital UK (2245)
- FTTC (2044)
- Mobile Broadband (1973)
- Statistics (1788)
- 4G (1664)
- Virgin Media (1619)
- Ofcom Regulation (1461)
- Fibre Optic (1395)
- Wireless Internet (1389)
- FTTH (1381)
Just for giggles, I ran a price comparison for energy by FU to see how much more I would pay for the free gift.
I found that FU would by £378 more per year than my current supplier. The cost of a Nest Thermostat E is £199, so not that free in the big scheme of things.
I ones went with First Utilita i was without Wifi and landline for over a month and ended up getting it fixed myself becouse First Utilita asked me to give them more time to fix it i knew then they were bever going to fix the problem
Hi my name is Andrew Browninig Account No 2791362
I recently signed up on the following tariff first cam November 2021 direct debit ebil
I am finding it extremely difficult to find out how you obtain the camera after trying to follow the directions on the email that you sent to me which then sends through a couple of links
Surely you can just post ithe camera to me through the post as you have all my details
I am looking forward to your response
Many Thanks
I have been a customer for first utility for a 3 month and idid not received my google mini home don’t know why