Virgin Media O2 increases free data gifting amid escalating cost of living crisis

• Virgin Media O2 is offering 20GB of free O2 mobile data per month via the National Databank – to support people most affected by the cost of living crisis
• The company is increasing its data donation as it pledges to gift more than 61 million GB of free data by the end of 2025
• It coincides with the first year anniversary of the National Databank where more than 10,000 O2 voucher codes have been issued

As more than 9 in 10 low income Brits say they’re worried about their finances, and 85% 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.

It means that people 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.

Virgin Media O2’s free data boost will help people at risk of data poverty to stay in touch with their friends and family, and access essential online services such as medical appointments, benefits such as Universal Credit, and apply for jobs or take part in virtual interviews or training.

With 20GB of free O2 mobile data, someone could:

• browse for around 220 hours
• send around 320,000 emails without attachments or around 6,000 emails with attachments
• download around 340 songs
• watch around 800 minutes of TV

The data pledge extends Virgin Media O2’s original¹ 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 ²two 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.

Kay, who has benefited from free mobile data from the National Databank, said:

I need data to live – I need it to speak to my kids. It keeps me sane. I need it to work – without it I couldn’t manage my job. Knowing that this monthly expense is taken care of is such a huge weight off my shoulders.

The Better Connections Plan

The National Databank initiative forms part of Virgin Media O2’s new sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, which aims to create a better, more connected, and greener world for everyone.

Earlier this summer, Greggs Foundation signed up to the National Databank, and Virgin Media O2 announced it had re-homed 10,000 smartphones to people who need them via its Community Calling initiative with environmental charity, Hubbub.

You can find out how to join or support the National Databank here.

Find out more information about how Virgin Media O2 is supporting customers and communities through the cost of living crisis.