Plea to lure low-income folks to the web with eBay

The government is being urged to highlight more relevant benefits to the web in a bid to get more people online by campaigning organisation Consumer Focus - whether that be with a basic home broadband connection or through mobile broadband.

It's suggested it might be easier to lure unconnected Brits towards the internet if they're shown how they might find a bargain on Ebay or track down a vital job role.

According to the watchdog's recent "Broadband Minded report" low income families or those earning less that £11,500 per year don't have access to the web at home and have "limited motivation" to get online. However, although money has a part to play Consumer Focus thinks other factors such as concerns over personal data and viruses are also having an effect on broadband take-up.

Speaking on methods for getting more low-income users online Mike O'Connor, chief executive of Consumer Focus, urged the government to make it a priority to get more connected to the web: "Cost is not the only issue and if the government wants more people online they need to deal with consumers' fears about the internet such as the dangers of identity theft and viruses."

The government has pledged to get every home in the UK kitted up with a fixed home broadband connection capable of 2Mb by 2012.

Of course there is another option for those seeking out low cost broadband without a contract - Pay As You Go mobile broadband.

To find out more about how you can get connected with speeds up to 3.6Mb without a contract check out Mobile Broadband Genie's list of Pay As You Go mobile broadband dongles.