Hull telecoms group KCom is removing its broadband data limits for those working from home during the coronavirus emergency.
The internet provider will not count data usage for home working activities such as video calls and the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and online office software packages to help people who are turning kitchens, bedrooms and dining rooms into offices.
KCOM said it will review the service at the end of each month and notify customers of any changes in approach.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged everyone to work from home where possible as part of measures to slow down the spread of Covid-19.
A spokesman for the city centre-headquartered giant, which gives Hull a USP and enhances its digital credentials, said: “At KCom we are committed to supporting our community and doing as much as we can to help our customers get through this difficult time with as little disruption as possible.
“This means typical working from home activities such as connecting to a Virtual Private Network, making a Skype video call or using office software that is hosted online or in the cloud will not count towards your monthly data limit.
“We will review this at the end of each month and let customers know of any changes.
Coronavirus and the Humber:
“We hope removing this extra reason for worry will mean businesses and employees across our Hull and East Yorkshire region can continue to work normally as far as is possible under very difficult circumstances.”
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However, the new rules will not apply to typical broadband leisure use in households.
Gaming and live streaming or downloading media, such as playing on an X-Box, streaming a show on Netflix or downloading a show on iPlayer, will still count towards normal limits.
As reported, KCom is rolling out its reach further, taking in more areas of East Yorkshire and entering northern Lincolnshire, having already made some business park connections, such as Europarc.
It comes as wireless internet specialist Quickline Communications offers free broadband installation to people who are self-isolating.
Another Hull firm, the line-of-sight specialist has a network across Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and North Yorkshire, with remote areas a speciality.
Hayley Silvester, head of sales for Quickline, said: “During this unprecedented time we need to make sure that our workforce can stay as operational as possible and with that in mind Quickline wants to do whatever it can to help. And with more and more schools closing we want to make sure that our children’s education can continue.
Headline tech: Humber's digital industry in the news:
“We have been working with parish councils, local authorities and with the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for quite some time to provide superfast broadband connections to some of the hardest to reach rural areas. And we specialise in engineering bespoke solutions for rural communities and we thought our expertise and creative approach could help a lot of people during these unprecedented times. All we ask is that they sign up to a 24-month contract in order to achieve the speeds they need to work from home and/or stay in touch with family and friends.”