Virgin Media O2 donates extra data to National Databank
July 26, 2022
As more than nine in 10 low income Brits say they’re worried about their finances, and 85 per cent say connectivity is essential for living their lives, Virgin Media O2 is donating an extra 15 million GB of free data to the National Databank to help people in need stay connected.
Those most affected by the rise in the cost of living can now receive 20GB of free O2 mobile data per month – an increase from 15GB per month, available via the National Databank.
The National Databank, founded by Virgin Media O2 and digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation, is like a foodbank but for free mobile data, texts, and calls, which can be accessed through more than 400 of Good Things Foundation’s community partners across the UK.
The data pledge extends Virgin Media O2’s original commitment to the National Databank to more than 61 million GB of data being donated to the initiative by the end of 2025, which forms part of the company’s overall ambition to upgrade the UK with connectivity.
Brits keep a close eye on their data usage
It comes as Virgin Media O2’s new research found, if running low on money, almost 9 in 10 of Brits would be forced to give up the internet, over other utilities including food, electricity, and water.
Meanwhile, more than two thirds of low-income Brits – those earning less than £25,000 per year – will avoid using data-hungry apps or websites – like streaming sites, to stop their data running out, and almost half say they’ve been forced to set a timer to limit their mobile data usage.
Tackling data poverty
The research coincides with the first anniversary of the National Databank launched by Virgin Media O2 and Good Things Foundation in July 2021 to tackle data poverty, with around two million households across the UK at risk of digital exclusion.
Since the launch of the National Databank, more than 50,000 SIM cards have been given to community organisations, and more than 10,000 O2 voucher codes have been issued.
Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive of Good Things Foundation, adds: “Having enough data in our increasingly digital society is not just a nice to have, it’s an absolute essential. There are 2 million households struggling to afford internet access in the UK today, and 10 million adults lack the most basic digital skills. The National Databank – which can be thought of as a ‘food bank for data’ – is already doing great work to bridge the digital divide. We’re very proud to be working together with our National Databank founding partners, Virgin Media O2 – which is now upping its data pledge to give an extra 15 million GB of free data to the databank. Together, we can help address the issue of data poverty in the UK once and for all.”
Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, added: “As the proud founder of the UK’s National Databank, we know how important it is for people most affected by the rise in the cost of living to have access to free mobile data so they can get online and stay in touch with loved ones, and access essential services, from virtual medical appointments, to job interviews and training. That’s why Virgin Media O2 is providing extra help for people in need by donating even more free data to the Good Things Foundation and the National Databank to ensure people can stay connected during the difficult months ahead. It’s part of our mission to upgrade the UK where we want to end data poverty for good and create a better, more connected country for everyone.”