[Former Member 2410]

Indeed, but the proportion of people without such a connection should be so miniscule now that not having an internet connection can be seen as a lifestyle choice like living off-grid.

The predecessor, The Parliamentary Channel was run by a consortium of cable operators, incidentally

Fundamentally disagree with calling a lack of internet connection / a poor connection a 'lifestyle choice'. For many people, it really isn't, although in some ways you are correct in that it's like living 'off -grid'.

Yes, things are getting better in some ways with respect to data access, but when 8 million households struggle with connectivity / lack of data, it's not a choice at all for many.

If you'd like to find out more, and donate a device, there's plenty of ways to help. The Good Things Foundation is a great place to start (www.goodthingsfoundation.org ) and they work with most (all?) of the major networks to donate data and / or devices. If you have a spare device less than five years old, and in decent condition, it could be put to good use!

Also, living without a proper data connection or no data connection is tough, given how much is online these days. Vodafone have done three short films on this topic, and they're worth a watch: www.vodafone.co.uk 

I don't personally celebrate Christmas, but I wish everyone all the best and I hope everyone manages to enjoy some time with family and friends, and perhaps takes a few moments to help the less fortunate, whether that's a small present of warm socks to a homeless person, or donation to a charity. We all need to look after each other, especially in this difficult world. Take care folks.