Lords committee to hear from BT, Vodafone and others on digital exclusion

The Committee will take evidence over two sessions. The first will feature evidence from BT, Vodafone, Wildanet and Community Fibre on their responsibilities to support consumers through the cost-of-living crisis, and work to tackle digital exclusion. The second session will see the Committee hear evidence from telecoms industry analysts Enders Analysis and Analysys Mason.

The evidence sessions start from 2:30pm on Tuesday 7 March 2023 in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords.

2:30pm

• Paul Morris, Head of Government Affairs, Vodafone
• Helen Burrows, Content and Services Policy Director, BT Group
• Helen Wylde, Chief Executive Officer, Wildanet
• Tim Stranack, Chief Executive Officer, Community Fibre

3:30pm

• James Barford, Director of Telecoms, Enders Analysis
• Ian Streule, Partner, Analysys Mason

In the first session questions will cover social tariffs and how to ensure they are accessible to people facing digital exclusion, upcoming mid-contract prices rises and the justification for these in the context of the cost-of-living crisis, and how far government and Ofcom should intervene in the telecoms market to help tackle digital exclusion.

In the second session the Committee will explore how well the telecoms market works to give consumers fair and affordable internet access, the role and effectiveness of social tariffs, and whether greater digital inclusion could have a positive impact on the industry.