Sure has announced a range of new measures to help people stay connected during the coronavirus outbreak.
The headline move is a free upgrade to Sure’s standard broadband service for customers currently using the basic tariff.
This will double internet speed from an average of 16Mbps to 34Mbps, and the deal, which will save those customers £5 a month, is available until 30 June.
Vulnerable customers who use the piper lifeline service or those on the telephone assistance scheme will be given free local landline calls 24 hours a day.
This will be applied to eligible customers’ accounts by 10 April until 30 June.
Islanders who get stuck overseas and become unable to return because of the crisis will be helped with free roaming boosters and discounted roaming rates.
Finally, mobile and landline calls to the States of Guernsey Covid-19 advice lines (756938 and 756969) will be made free of charge.
The CEO of the Sure Group, Ian Kelly, said they wanted to help people who have to work from home and the pupils who need to stay connected to school.
‘With many islanders now being required to work from home, self-isolating and practising social distancing to help protect the wider community we understand the importance connectivity will have to ensure we can all stay in touch and keep informed and local businesses can continue operating.
‘We’ve introduced these connectivity measures to support the local community and hope these will help to make this difficult time a little bit easier.
‘We will of course continue to monitor the situation as it evolves and will introduce additional measures to support islanders as required.’
The next few weeks are likely to prove a critical stress test for the island’s broadband services as they are put under unprecedented loads.
Mr Kelly reassured customers that Sure is up to the task and is well prepared to take the strain.
‘Everyone at Sure is working hard to ensure all islanders can continue to access the national critical communication infrastructure that we provide across the Bailiwick.
‘We have the procedures in place to maintain the resilience and capability of our networks and our operations and we are confident that the infrastructure can cope with the inevitable change in demand for phone and internet services.
‘This is a worrying time for everyone and we are here to support our island communities as best we can.’
n Details of the new connectivity measures can be found on the Sure website www.sure.com/coronavirus
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