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  • Mobile Data for Home Learning

    Mobile Data for Home Learning

Increasing data allowances on mobile devices to support disadvantaged children

The government have introduced a scheme to temporarily increase data allowances for mobile phone users on certain networks. This is so that children and young people can access remote education if their face-to-face education is disrupted.

Who can get help

Schools, trusts and local authorities can request mobile data increases for children and young people who:

  • do not have fixed broadband at home

  • cannot afford additional data for their devices

  • have access to a mobile device that uses a participating network

  • are facing disruption to their face-to-face education, or have been advised not to attend school

Children with access to a mobile phone on one of the following networks might be able to benefit. 

Please click each operator for more information and their terms and conditions.

Other providers may join the scheme at a later stage.

Applying for the offer

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Privacy statement 

  1. For the purposes of data protection, we have a duty to inform you that the Department for Education (DfE) is running the Mobile Network Offer through schools and their trusts or local authorities. 
  2. If the offer is accepted by an adult account holder, the school or social care team will share the account holder’s name and mobile phone details with the DfE, who will share these with the relevant mobile network operator. 
  3. The mobile network operator will use that information to increase the data available for the account holder’s mobile device, as long as they qualify for the offer. 
  4. The adult account holder’s personal data is only shared with their mobile network operator for the purposes of the offer. No names of children or other adults, other than adult account holder, are shared with the DfE or the mobile network operator. 
  5. No personal information will be shared with the DfE if you decline the offer. 
  6. If you want to know more about how your personal information will be used before you accept the offer, please read the privacy information  the government's website.
  7. If you decide to take up the offer, you’ll get a text message from the Department for Education with more information about your data protection rights. 

Please ensure that you read the Government's privacy statement and that you are happy to give your consent. Without your consent we are unable to apply for increased data allowance on your behalf. 

https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk/increasing-mobile-data/privacy-notice 

Mobile Providers' Terms and Conditions

EE

Be aware that until the end of January, it may take EE some time to process requests.

  • The recipient will get 20GB of additional data per month until 31 July 2021.
  • The offer is available to both Pay Monthly and Pay-as-you-go customers.
  • A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
  • EE will process no more than 60,000 requests across all schools. If they reach this limit, they will not accept further requests.
O2

Be aware that until the end of January, it may take O2 some time to process requests.

  • The recipient will get 40GB of additional data per month until 31 July 2021.
  • The offer is available to both Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go customers.
  • A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
Sky Mobile
  • The recipient will get 100GB of additional data.
  • The offer is only available to Pay Monthly customers identified as needing this support. It’s not available to Pay-as-you-go customers.
  • Sky Mobile customers will be able to see the data uplift in their piggybank.
  • Sky Mobile will aim to process the request within 14 days.
  • Sky Mobile will process no more than 1800 requests across all schools. If they reach this limit, they will not accept further requests.
Smarty
  • The recipient will get unlimited data until 31 July 2021.
  • The offer is available to both Pay Monthly and Pay-as-you-go customers.
  • A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
  • Smarty will aim to process the request within 14 days.
Tesco Mobile
  • The recipient will get 20GB of additional data per month until 31 July 2021.
  • The offer is only available to Pay Monthly customers identified as needing this support. It’s not available to Pay-as-you-go customers.
  • A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
  • Tesco Mobile will aim to process the request within 14 days.
  • Tesco Mobile will process no more than 1,000 requests across all schools. If they reach this limit, they will not accept further requests.
Three
  • The recipient will get unlimited data until 31 July 2021.
  • The offer is available to both Pay Monthly and Pay-as-you-go customers.
  • A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
  • Three will aim to process the request within 14 days.
Virgin Mobile
  • The recipient will get 20GB of additional data per month until 31 July 2021.
  • The offer is only available to Pay Monthly customers identified as needing this support. It’s not available to Pay-as-you-go customers.
  • A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.
  • Virgin Mobile will aim to process the request within 14 days.
  • Virgin Mobile will process no more than 1750 requests across all schools. If they reach this limit, they will not accept further requests.
  • Wi-Fi hotspots are open to all existing customers, including those on Pay-as-you-go. Customers on Pay-as-you-go will need to have a minimum of £5 credit. Instructions to download the app and find their nearest hotspot can be found by going to www.virginmedia.com/wifiapp.
Vodafone

Be aware that until the end of January, it may take Vodafone some time to process requests.

  • The recipient will get unlimited data until 31 July 2021.
  • The offer is available to both Pay monthly and Pay as you go customers. Pay as you go customers must have a Big Value Bundle worth £10 or above to be eligible.
  • A text message will be sent to the nominated device once the additional data has been added to the account.