People in need in the run-up to Christmas can get free mobile data from a phone shop.
Virgin Media O2 is transforming its store at The Orchard Centre in Didcot into one of its National Databank Hubs.
The databank – which is like a food bank but for data – was created with digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation in 2021 to tackle data poverty and isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic and has been rolled out to all O2 shops across the country.
People who are eligible can receive a free O2 SIM with 25GB of monthly data for 12 months – which is enough for around 275 hours of internet browsing per month - regardless of their mobile phone operator.
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It means people experiencing data poverty can access essential websites and manage everyday tasks, such as booking medical appointments, applying for work, and online training, and can keep in touch with their loved ones over the festive period and beyond.
Nicola Green, from Virgin Media O2, said: "Virgin Media O2 is proud to be leading the way in tackling data and digital poverty across the region, where we’re building a fairer digital future for everyone.”
Helen Milner OBE, Group CEO at Good Things Foundation, said: "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.”
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