What is your mobile provider doing to help during lockdown?

When lockdown was introduced, there was concern about how the broadband and mobile networks would cope.

For broadband, not only would there be increased demand from a combination of home-working and home-schooling, there would also be the compulsion to stream every programme on Netflix, and that was before Disney+ was launched here on March 24th.

For mobile plans, meanwhile, increased data usage might mean the plan that served you well when you were in the office and had access to reliable wifi is suddenly inadequate.

Under normal circumstances, that could mean racking up some expensive charges once you had blasted through your data allowance for the month. But in recent weeks, the mobile service providers have moved to reassure customers that some concessions are being made.

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So what exactly is your mobile provider offering?

Eir

Like the other telcos in the State, Eir has signed up to the Covid-19 Consumer Commitments. That means customers who are not already on unlimited usage plans have the opportunity to upgrade – even temporarily – to an unlimited plan. The company said it would not be applying fair usages charges automatically to its unlimited packages but “traffic management” may be applied to networks if things get a bit busy.

Where possible, access to healthcare and educational sites identified by the Government will be zero-rated, meaning they don’t count towards a data cap.

It has also removed the data cap on one of its business plans.

Vodafone

If you are a mobile customer with Vodafone – or are planning to become one – there's a bit of good news. The company has just announced unlimited data for its plans, covering both consumer and business plans. It's properly unlimited data the company says, with no fair usage limits imposed, Even better, Vodafone customers can switch to an unlimited plan even if you are in the middle of a contract – as long as it is equivalent to your existing plan – and it won't cost you any more than you are already paying.

For consumers, there are two Red Unlimited sim-only plans: Max, which includes unlimited data, unlimited calls and SMS in Ireland and to Europe, Australia, US, Canada, New Zealand, Mexico and 500 worldwide minutes; and the regular Red Unlimited plan, which offers unlimited data, calls and SMS in Ireland and to Europe with an additional 100 minutes worldwide, with a maximim data speed of 10Mbps. The Unlimited Lite handset plan gives you a phone and unlimited data, Vodafone to Vodafone calls and text messages, plus 100 minutes to any other Irish network, but also limits data speeds to 10Mbps.

The company is also offering a prepay plan aimed at younger users, with unlimited data at 10Mbps, unlimited texts and 100 national minutes to use Monday to Friday, and unlimited national minutes each weekend.

If you are a fixed broadband customer with Vodafone, the telco is not implementing fair use policies at the moment.

“Our focus during the initial stages of this crisis was on ensuring continuity for Vodafone customers by adding additional capacity to our fixed, broadband and mobile networks, as well as providing an increased level of support to critical infrastructure customers,” a spokeswoman for Vodafone said. “We have also been working closely with our business customers of all sizes to ensure their connectivity needs are met during this time of uncertainty.”

Three

Three has signed up to the Covid-19 Consumer Commitments, so like is committed to upgrading customers, ditching fair usage charges and zero-rating healthcare and educational sites identified by the Government where possible.

Virgin Media

Announced on Thursday, Virgin Media is making all its mobile plans unlimited until June 30th, meaning all calls and texts to Irish numbers will be covered under your existing plan, and all data use will be covered . Not only that, the company has also removed the fair usage policies, meaning the service really is unlimited.

“The removal of the data limits and Fair Usage Policy for both our 5GB and Unlimited plans means you don’t have to worry about using up all your data on video calls, streaming apps or web browsing while we all do our best to stay at home,” said Anne O’Flynn, head of commercial product at Virgin Media.

Tesco Mobile

The network has made all calls to the HSE coronavirus helpline free of charge. Other issues are being dealt with on a case by case basis, the company said.

It also signed up to the Covid-19 customer commitment. “At this time, we are working to keep customers connected and engaging with those who are worried about payments,” a spokeswoman said, adding that customers who may have concerns or queries about their packages should contact the company.