It means all of O2’s 300 stores will have SIM cards with 25GB of data per month to use for 12 months, which is enough for 275 hours of internet browsing per month.
The deal is intended for those who are struggling to afford their phone bill, so to qualify, you must fit the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be in a low-income household (an income of £15,000)
You must also have no or insufficient access to the internet at home or when you are away from home. The deal is also applicable if you are unable to afford your existing monthly contract or top-up.
Also, you cannot collect the free sim for anyone else, even if they are in the same household. The full list of databanks is available here.
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The offer is open to you whatever your mobile network and is part of Virgin Media O2’s National Databank campaign.
It comes as a quarter (26%) of Brits in low-income households struggle to pay their phone bill, and 78% say that the Christmas period leaves them feeling lonely or isolated without having mobile data to contact loved ones.
Further, there are almost two million UK households with a mobile phone who struggle to afford the service, according to Ofcom.
Difficult decisions shouldn’t involve affording mobile data
Nicola Green, chief communications 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.”
Actor Will Mellor has backed the initiative, following his own experience with poverty when he was younger.
Mellor said: “It’s heartbreaking to think there are people who can’t connect with their loved ones this Christmas.
“I experienced poverty first-hand when I was growing up, so I appreciate how vital initiatives such as the National Databank are to underprivileged communities who are struggling to afford connectivity.”
He added: “I would encourage anyone who’s in need to visit their local O2 store to get free mobile data for 12 months so they can get online and stay connected to everything and everyone they love this Christmas and beyond.”
