New UK Home Broadband and Discounted Computer Scheme Launched
The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), high street retailer Currys and Computer Recyclers have today teamed-up to launch the ‘Get Online @ Home‘ scheme, which offers special deals on broadband and discounted refurbished devices to the 11 million people across the UK who they claim are experiencing digital exclusion.
A quick look at the scheme’s website shows that they’re offering “professionally refurbished PCs, laptops, tablets and monitors along with great value broadband offers“. For example, the press release claims you can pick up a complete Windows 10 Desktop PC system from as little as £49 when bundled with a broadband and phone package from their selected ISP partners (Sky Broadband, TalkTalk, Shell Energy and Vodafone).
However, we found the Get Online @ Home website to be quite fiddly, since if you click the link to their £49 deal then the cheapest PC actually comes out as £99 inc. VAT and there’s little clarity over precisely where that price difference comes from. You also don’t get much detail on the system specs (perhaps because the specifics will vary a lot) and the mention of broadband makes it seem like that’s included in the price, when it isn’t.
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Customers that try to order should also note that a separate delivery fee must be applied on top. Additionally, for every package sold, the DPA, a UK registered charity, will receive a £40 donation and that will then be invested in nationwide digital inclusion schemes to provide laptops to underprivileged families, schools and teachers.
Elizabeth Anderson, Interim CEO at Digital Poverty Alliance, said:
“After recently launching the National Delivery Plan in May, we are delighted to partner with Currys and Computer Recyclers to help support our goal of eradicating digital poverty, directly addressing one of our six core missions. We live in a highly digital society which requires digital access for basic tasks such as access to services, for example online banking, applying to jobs and other everyday tasks meaning digital inclusion for all must be a top priority. We hope that this partnership will help deliver connectivity and devices to those who need it most, while helping to support the DPA in their endeavours to end digital poverty for good.”
Despite the issues, we think this is a pretty good starting point for those who would struggle to afford a new computer, even if they do need to clear up some of the language and clarify what the special deals on broadband packages actually are (none are displayed).
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, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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It’s not a bad scheme to be fair.
On the broadband page on the navigation bar and then under a button labelled Offer Terms explains that you can get a PC for £49 if you take out broadband via their phone line. Then it looks like you get given a code which grants a customer a PC for £49 provided they are in contract after cooling-off periods.
I got my last Windows 10 desktop tower off ebay – reconditioned Dell with HDMI output for £60 and didn’t have to tie into anyone. Delivered within 48 hours via DPD
I prefer a desktop for the study and use a laptop when working away and this one has seen me 5 years now for £60 and still going strong
The £49 is a good deal but if it’s only the tower you need, there’s better out there
This isn’t bad and when it comes to people like grandparents, this does sound very ideal.
I’m wondering if they’re repurposing returns and stuff like that for the greater good or if it’s a ‘bad deal’ and dishing out ancient hardware but offering a warranty and support to justify the price.
If the hardware is not bad, then this certainly is not a bad deal.
The fact that it says a Windows 10 PC is a concern – if they are so old that Windows 11 is not supported, I wouldn’t be recommending anyone buy them. Good value is good, cheap is often bad…
The fact it says “Windows” let alone a number has put me off! I’ll stick to my repurposed PCs with Ubuntu MATE on them, much more secure
I can see those £49 machines being Intel Celeron based machines, good enough for browsing the internet and sending emails!
I’ve already given away PCs to others here in the Rhondda Valleys, especially our neighbour who’s just had throat cancer, you should’ve seen her face… I’m the regular Robin Hood…..
@Dave jolly good for you, bu t you’ve made the classic Linux enthusiast mistake of forgetting that the majority of people don’t know what Linux is, let alone how to use it or heaven forbid how to keep it running. It’s not mainstream and it can be a huge pain to do simple things sometimes – it’s not a solution for someone who doesn’t have someone willing to provide support nearby.
Ubuntu Mate is easier to use than Windows and runs much nicer. Not a big learning curve at all.
Except RNDIS support if you have a 4g usb modem – only time when Windows was actually better.