Virgin Media O2 has expanded its National Databank initiative by launching 70 additional hubs at O2 stores across the UK, aiming to help more people in poverty get online and stay connected this Christmas.
This expansion means the National Databank is now available at all O2 stores nationwide, offering free O2 mobile data, texts, and calls to those in need, regardless of their current mobile operator.
With more than 300 O2 stores now participating, eligible individuals can easily access a free O2 SIM providing 25GB of monthly data for 12 months – sufficient for approximately 275 hours of internet browsing each month.
This connectivity aims to help support people experiencing data poverty to access essential websites and manage everyday tasks, such as booking medical appointments, applying for work, and online training, as well as helping them keep in touch with loved ones over the festive period and beyond.
People can find their nearest National Databank here.
The expansion has been announced alongside new research from the firm which shows that around a quarter of people (26%) on low incomes say they are currently struggling to pay their mobile phone bill.
More than half said they would feel lonely if they could not access the internet or mobile data at home, and 62% said not having mobile data would mean they would miss out on key moments during Christmas.
Nicola Green, chief communications and corporate affairs officer at Virgin Media O2 said: “We know that people experiencing poverty are having to make difficult choices around how they spend their money – but affording mobile data shouldn’t be one of them.
“That’s why Virgin Media O2 has rolled out the National Databank to all its O2 stores nationwide, offering free O2 mobile data to connect people in need, so they can get online and stay in touch with their loved ones this Christmas and beyond.”
Virgin Media O2 launched the National Databank – described like a food bank but for mobile data – with the digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation, in 2021.
There are now around 3,000 National Databank Hubs across the country, with O2 connecting more than 200,000 people nationwide.
Helen Milner OBE, group CEO at Good Things Foundation, said: “I’m delighted to see the National Databank grow even larger, with a further 70 O2 stores across the UK now becoming National Databank Digital Inclusion Hubs.
“Virgin Media O2’s work to help reduce digital exclusion now allows the Databank to extend its impact to even more people and is a lifeline to those struggling to access the internet this Christmas. This means more people in need can access essential services and connect with loved ones.
“This work underpins Good Things Foundation’s ambition to help one million people benefit from the digital world by 2025. Together we can fix the digital divide for good.”
