Jobless get cheap mobile package

CUT-PRICE mobile phone rates of just €10 a month will be available to people drawing unemployment benefit.

Phone operators have six months to put together a social phone tariff that will consist of 40 minutes’ talk time and 40 texts and will be available to people on RSA (revenu de solidarité active).

The offer will be available from the autumn and will not have any start-up or cancellation fees or minimum contract period.

The government, which has arranged the roll-out of the new social package, is also in talks with communication companies about launching a similar product for high-speed internet.