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Planned System Maintenance - Limited Service

Sunderland City Council will be carrying out planned system maintenance from 12 noon on Friday 5th June until 7am on Tuesday 9th June. During this period, we will only be able to respond to urgent enquiries. If your enquiry is not urgent, please contact us before or after these times when full services will be available. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.

Discounted Broadband

Discounted Broadband

What are social tariffs?
Some internet companies have special cheaper deals for people who get certain benefits, like Universal Credit. These deals work just like normal internet but cost less.

Faster Broadband is a group that helps people find the best deals.  They get updates from internet companies and have a postcode checker for all UK areas.  You can use it to see what's available, how fast it is, and compare prices.

Please note that some packages only relate to broadband, which may impact on your current telephone line.  If in doubt check with the Internet Provider to discuss what they are offering.

Current prices for broadband range from £12.50 to £22.50 per month, which are cheaper than a standard package price. Most tariffs offer superfast broadband at speeds over 30Mbps, which is fast enough for you to keep in touch with friends and family, stream HD films or shop online. 

If you do have to pay any setup costs, these should only be small. Your Internet Provider should tell you before you sign up.  If your current Internet Provider offers a discounted rate, you can switch to it at any time, free of charge.  Plus, prices won't go up mid-contract and you won't pay a fee to leave the tariff before the end of your contract.

The person receiving the benefit needs to be the main person on the contract.

What broadband speed to I need?

It's worth checking if you're getting the speeds promised by your broadband provider. A broadband speed test can tell you if you're getting the speeds quoted by your provider, if you want to carry out a speed test. Which? provide a tool. 

Getting the best deal it you are not on benefits

Make sure you're getting the best deal by using a comparison website, other comparison sites do exist, but here is a small selection for your consideration: 

  • Uswitch - searches all broadband providers with some deals exclusive to Uswitch.  Ability to tailor your search to include phone and television packages which can offer good savings rather than separate services.
  • Compare - compares fibre providers only but includes smaller, local providers as well as the ability to tailor your search to prioritise what's important to you.
  • Faster Broadband - TV Phone and Broadband Deals.  Expert insights, practical tips, and self-help broadband support to save you time and money.

Sunderland City Council have partnered with Lightning Reach to connect you to 2,500+ support schemes from charities and organisations across the UK including identifying if you're eligible for social tariffs. Find out more at Lightning Reach.

NB: Links to external organisations and websites. We bear no responsibility for the actions, content, or services provided by these organisations, and the inclusion of these links does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of their products or services.