EE extends unlimited data offer for NHS workers

A doctor in blue scrubs holds a phone in both hands, with only their arms, midriff and chest visible

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

EE will extend its offer of unlimited mobile data for NHS workers until next year, the company confirmed on Thursday.

The initial offer was due to end next week, however, with COVID-19 cases on the rise once more and new lockdown restrictions in force in some parts of the UK, EE has said NHS staff will now able to benefit from unlimited data until 31 January 2021.

The scheme was first introduced on 9 April, helping NHS workers stay connected with their friends and family while at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19, as hospitals became overwhelmed with an unprecedented number of patients.

Matt Hancock commits to ‘data deregulation’ drive across the NHS NHS flooded with 40,000 spam emails during coronavirus crisis EE and Nokia to build "industry-first" Air-to-Ground 4G network

EE estimated that, since then, the offer has been taken up by over 270,000 NHS workers, helping them save up to £250.

BT’s CEO Consumer Division Marc Allera said that, by extending the scheme, the company wanted to show its “continued support to NHS staff as pressures of Covid-19 remain”.

“Extending our unlimited data offer will help NHS workers as they can easily keep in touch with friends and family, without worrying about their data. Along with the 20% discount we already provide, this is a thank you for NHS staff who work so hard to look after us all,” he added.

EE said that the unlimited data offer is still open for new registrations online and that NHS workers can register here using a valid NHS email address.

The scheme is also open for NHS staff who already receive discounts on their monthly plans from EE, as the company additionally offers a 20% discount on their monthly line rental for their mobiles and tablets. NHS workers are also allowed to extend this discount to their family and friends.

A number of other tech companies have similar offers in place to help NHS staff. In April, Microsoft made its security service AccountGuard available for free to healthcare staff, due to hospitals in Europe and the United States becoming the target of cyber attacks. Only this week, one of America's largest healthcare providers, Universal Health Services, was hit by an alleged ransomware attack, thought to be caused by the Ryuk malware.

Having only graduated from City University in 2019, Sabina has already demonstrated her abilities as a keen writer and effective journalist. Currently a content writer for Drapers, Sabina spent a number of years writing for ITPro, specialising in networking and telecommunications, as well as charting the efforts of technology companies to improve their inclusion and diversity strategies, a topic close to her heart.

Sabina has also held a number of editorial roles at Harper's Bazaar, Cube Collective, and HighClouds.