I saw this on Twitter earlier today and have just had chance to have a little read about it on the BBC website and on the face of it I think it is a brilliant idea. I personally believe everyone should have the opportunity to access the internet from home as it can create a truly level playing field.
However on jumping over to the Home Access website I was pretty dismayed to read that they have put restrictions on where you can buy the laptop & broadband, but have yet to publish, as far as I can see a list of them. Now I understand the need to regulate the spending but I fear that in doing this the consumer will loose out on choice and the scheme will end up paying over the odds.
The scheme has 3 packages
1. Full package (a computer, one year’s internet access, service and support)
2. A computer with service and support only
3. One year’s internet access only
Great, but what about the support after the first year and more importantly what about the broadband?
The scheme is costing £300 million and taking on 270,000 homes, so presuming they all have package 1 then thats £1111 per home.
If we look at the biggest high street pc retailer PC World they have the Toshiba Satellite L450D-113 for £379.97, nothing to write home about, but easily better than needed, lets add Tech Guy Support for the Year @ £79.99 and that is £459.96 for the laptop and support.
Now the broadband, without and real reasearch I jumped over to the TalkTalk website to confirm the price for one years broadband and line rental and it is £18.48 a month + £60 if a new line is required so £281.76 for the year.
So we have the above package 3 using off the shelf consumer prices for £741.72, now as mentioned earlier the amount per user will be £1111, so I ask where will the other £369 go?
I would also expect that the Scheme would not be paying consumer prices as they are going to do it all in bulk, so seriously this is going to waste money from the offset, with I imagine all this excess going to admin etc.
I ask who is running the scheme? Who will the suppliers be? Who is providing the support? and what happens after the first year? Mr Balls can I have an answer?
