Cheaper basic internet service lined up for January under ‘Digital Welfare’ scheme

All Hungarian ISPs, including mobile operators, are expected to begin offering a cheaper ‘basic’ internet access service from the beginning of 2017, according to financial daily Vilaggazdasag citing the secretariat of the government’s Digital Welfare Programme, led by the prime ministerʼs commissioner Tamas Deutsch. New basic packages are to be ‘at least 15%’ cheaper than the lowest rates currently available on both fixed and mobile networks, and will be offered to those without a current internet provider, including those who have not had a mobile internet subscription within the previous twelve months, according to the report, which adds that the proposals should be finalised in November. The Digital Welfare Programme was launched following a public consultation, itself prompted by mass street protests in 2014 demonstrating against a government internet tax plan.