Broadband providers drop cancellation fees for
armed forces personnel
17/03/2017
Mark Lancaster, Minister for Defence Veterans, Reserves and Personnel
has announced that armed forces personnel will no longer have to face
cancellation fees for their broadband and media packages when posted overseas
or to another part of the UK not covered by their current provider.
The commitment from
the UK’s biggest broadband providers representing 95 per cent of Britain’s
broadband market comes into force immediately, and will benefit tens of
thousands of forces households in the UK and abroad.
The change agreed
to under the tenets of the Armed Forces Covenant includes BT, EE, Plusnet, Talk
Talk and Virgin Media, who have all committed to treating military personnel
fairly when cancelling their contracts.
Up until now,
members of the armed forces deployed overseas or to different part of the UK
not covered by their provider could be forced to pay a cancellation fee. They
will no longer have to face this cost and be disadvantaged due to the mobile
nature of service life
The Minister for
Defence Veterans, Reserves and Personnel said:
“Our armed forces
are sent all over the world and across the country to help keep our country
safe and they should never be disadvantaged because of this. The removal of
cancellation fees by leading broadband providers is yet another example of the
Covenant in action, which is making sure our brave personnel are treated
fairly. It’s a welcome move and we’re looking forward to seeing what more
British businesses can do to support our military.”
The Armed Forces Covenant
is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have previously
served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly and not
disadvantaged by their service. Delivery partners include businesses and trade
bodies, charities and community organisations, local authorities and government
departments.
